System and dielectric antenna with non-uniform dielectric

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a solid dielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution of relative permittivity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.15/299,576, entitled “SYSTEM AND DIELECTRIC ANTENNA WITH NON-UNIFORMDIELECTRIC”, filed Oct. 21, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety and made part of the present U.S. Utilitypatent application for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates antennas and systems used for wirelesscommunication.

BACKGROUND

As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly becomeubiquitous, and data usage increases, macrocell base station devices andexisting wireless infrastructure in turn require higher bandwidthcapability in order to address the increased demand. To provideadditional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued,with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areasthan traditional macrocells.

In addition, most homes and businesses have grown to rely on broadbanddata access for services such as voice, video and Internet browsing,etc. Broadband access networks include satellite, 4G or 5G wireless,power line communication, fiber, cable, and telephone networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a guided-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a transmission device in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 3 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 5A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a frequency response in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 5B is a graphical diagram illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of an insulated wiredepicting fields of guided electromagnetic waves at various operatingfrequencies in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an electromagnetic field distribution in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an arc coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a stub coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example, non-limiting embodiment ofan electromagnetic distribution in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of couplers and transceivers in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a dual stub coupler in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a repeater system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a waveguide system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a guided-wave communications system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are block diagrams illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a communication systemin accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 17A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbancesoccurring in a communication network of the system of FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 17B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method for detecting and mitigating disturbancesoccurring in a communication network of the system of FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 18A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a communication system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 18B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a portion of the communication system of FIG. 18A inaccordance with various aspects described herein.

FIGS. 18C-18D are block diagrams illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of a communication node of the communication system of FIG.18A in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 19A is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniques for enablinga base station to communicate with communication nodes in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 19B is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a communication node in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 19C is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a communication node in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 19D is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 19E is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 19F is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 19G is a graphical diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a frequency spectrum in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 19H is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a transmitter in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 19I is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a receiver in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 20A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an antenna system in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 20B is a block diagram illustrating example, non-limitingembodiments of a dielectric antenna in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 20C is a diagram illustrating example, non-limiting embodiments ofrelative permittivity distributions in accordance with various aspectsdescribed herein.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesedetails (and without applying to any particular networked environment orstandard).

In an embodiment, a guided wave communication system is presented forsending and receiving communication signals such as data or othersignaling via guided electromagnetic waves. The guided electromagneticwaves include, for example, surface waves or other electromagnetic wavesthat are bound to or guided by a transmission medium. It will beappreciated that a variety of transmission media can be utilized withguided wave communications without departing from example embodiments.Examples of such transmission media can include one or more of thefollowing, either alone or in one or more combinations: wires, whetherinsulated or not, and whether single-stranded or multi-stranded;conductors of other shapes or configurations including wire bundles,cables, rods, rails, pipes; non-conductors such as dielectric pipes,rods, rails, or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors anddielectric materials; or other guided wave transmission media.

The inducement of guided electromagnetic waves on a transmission mediumcan be independent of any electrical potential, charge or current thatis injected or otherwise transmitted through the transmission medium aspart of an electrical circuit. For example, in the case where thetransmission medium is a wire, it is to be appreciated that while asmall current in the wire may be formed in response to the propagationof the guided waves along the wire, this can be due to the propagationof the electromagnetic wave along the wire surface, and is not formed inresponse to electrical potential, charge or current that is injectedinto the wire as part of an electrical circuit. The electromagneticwaves traveling on the wire therefore do not require a circuit topropagate along the wire surface. The wire therefore is a single wiretransmission line that is not part of a circuit. Also, in someembodiments, a wire is not necessary, and the electromagnetic waves canpropagate along a single line transmission medium that is not a wire.

More generally, “guided electromagnetic waves” or “guided waves” asdescribed by the subject disclosure are affected by the presence of aphysical object that is at least a part of the transmission medium(e.g., a bare wire or other conductor, a dielectric, an insulated wire,a conduit or other hollow element, a bundle of insulated wires that iscoated, covered or surrounded by a dielectric or insulator or other wirebundle, or another form of solid, liquid or otherwise non-gaseoustransmission medium) so as to be at least partially bound to or guidedby the physical object and so as to propagate along a transmission pathof the physical object. Such a physical object can operate as at least apart of a transmission medium that guides, by way of an interface of thetransmission medium (e.g., an outer surface, inner surface, an interiorportion between the outer and the inner surfaces or other boundarybetween elements of the transmission medium), the propagation of guidedelectromagnetic waves, which in turn can carry energy, data and/or othersignals along the transmission path from a sending device to a receivingdevice.

Unlike free space propagation of wireless signals such as unguided (orunbounded) electromagnetic waves that decrease in intensity inversely bythe square of the distance traveled by the unguided electromagneticwaves, guided electromagnetic waves can propagate along a transmissionmedium with less loss in magnitude per unit distance than experienced byunguided electromagnetic waves.

Unlike electrical signals, guided electromagnetic waves can propagatefrom a sending device to a receiving device without requiring a separateelectrical return path between the sending device and the receivingdevice. As a consequence, guided electromagnetic waves can propagatefrom a sending device to a receiving device along a transmission mediumhaving no conductive components (e.g., a dielectric strip), or via atransmission medium having no more than a single conductor (e.g., asingle bare wire or insulated wire). Even if a transmission mediumincludes one or more conductive components and the guidedelectromagnetic waves propagating along the transmission medium generatecurrents that flow in the one or more conductive components in adirection of the guided electromagnetic waves, such guidedelectromagnetic waves can propagate along the transmission medium from asending device to a receiving device without requiring a flow ofopposing currents on an electrical return path between the sendingdevice and the receiving device.

In a non-limiting illustration, consider electrical systems thattransmit and receive electrical signals between sending and receivingdevices by way of conductive media. Such systems generally rely onelectrically separate forward and return paths. For instance, consider acoaxial cable having a center conductor and a ground shield that areseparated by an insulator. Typically, in an electrical system a firstterminal of a sending (or receiving) device can be connected to thecenter conductor, and a second terminal of the sending (or receiving)device can be connected to the ground shield. If the sending deviceinjects an electrical signal in the center conductor via the firstterminal, the electrical signal will propagate along the centerconductor causing forward currents in the center conductor, and returncurrents in the ground shield. The same conditions apply for a twoterminal receiving device.

In contrast, consider a guided wave communication system such asdescribed in the subject disclosure, which can utilize differentembodiments of a transmission medium (including among others a coaxialcable) for transmitting and receiving guided electromagnetic waveswithout an electrical return path. In one embodiment, for example, theguided wave communication system of the subject disclosure can beconfigured to induce guided electromagnetic waves that propagate alongan outer surface of a coaxial cable. Although the guided electromagneticwaves will cause forward currents on the ground shield, the guidedelectromagnetic waves do not require return currents to enable theguided electromagnetic waves to propagate along the outer surface of thecoaxial cable. The same can be said of other transmission media used bya guided wave communication system for the transmission and reception ofguided electromagnetic waves. For example, guided electromagnetic wavesinduced by the guided wave communication system on an outer surface of abare wire, or an insulated wire can propagate along the bare wire or theinsulated bare wire without an electrical return path.

Consequently, electrical systems that require two or more conductors forcarrying forward and reverse currents on separate conductors to enablethe propagation of electrical signals injected by a sending device aredistinct from guided wave systems that induce guided electromagneticwaves on an interface of a transmission medium without the need of anelectrical return path to enable the propagation of the guidedelectromagnetic waves along the interface of the transmission medium.

It is further noted that guided electromagnetic waves as described inthe subject disclosure can have an electromagnetic field structure thatlies primarily or substantially outside of a transmission medium so asto be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as topropagate non-trivial distances on or along an outer surface of thetransmission medium. In other embodiments, guided electromagnetic wavescan have an electromagnetic field structure that lies primarily orsubstantially inside a transmission medium so as to be bound to orguided by the transmission medium and so as to propagate non-trivialdistances within the transmission medium. In other embodiments, guidedelectromagnetic waves can have an electromagnetic field structure thatlies partially inside and partially outside a transmission medium so asto be bound to or guided by the transmission medium and so as topropagate non-trivial distances along the transmission medium. Thedesired electronic field structure in an embodiment may vary based upona variety of factors, including the desired transmission distance, thecharacteristics of the transmission medium itself, and environmentalconditions/characteristics outside of the transmission medium (e.g.,presence of rain, fog, atmospheric conditions, etc.).

It is further noted that guided wave systems as described in the subjectdisclosure also differ from fiber optical systems. Guided wave systemsof the subject disclosure can induce guided electromagnetic waves on aninterface of a transmission medium constructed of an opaque material(e.g., a dielectric cable made of polyethylene) or a material that isotherwise resistive to the transmission of light waves (e.g., a bareconductive wire or an insulated conductive wire) enabling propagation ofthe guided electromagnetic waves along the interface of the transmissionmedium over non-trivial distances. Fiber optic systems in contrastcannot function with a transmission medium that is opaque or otherresistive to the transmission of light waves.

Various embodiments described herein relate to coupling devices, thatcan be referred to as “waveguide coupling devices”, “waveguide couplers”or more simply as “couplers”, “coupling devices” or “launchers” forlaunching and/or extracting guided electromagnetic waves to and from atransmission medium at millimeter-wave frequencies (e.g., 30 to 300GHz), wherein the wavelength can be small compared to one or moredimensions of the coupling device and/or the transmission medium such asthe circumference of a wire or other cross sectional dimension, or lowermicrowave frequencies such as 300 MHz to 30 GHz. Transmissions can begenerated to propagate as waves guided by a coupling device, such as: astrip, arc or other length of dielectric material; a horn, monopole,rod, slot or other antenna; an array of antennas; a magnetic resonantcavity, or other resonant coupler; a coil, a strip line, a waveguide orother coupling device. In operation, the coupling device receives anelectromagnetic wave from a transmitter or transmission medium. Theelectromagnetic field structure of the electromagnetic wave can becarried inside the coupling device, outside the coupling device or somecombination thereof. When the coupling device is in close proximity to atransmission medium, at least a portion of an electromagnetic wavecouples to or is bound to the transmission medium, and continues topropagate as guided electromagnetic waves. In a reciprocal fashion, acoupling device can extract guided waves from a transmission medium andtransfer these electromagnetic waves to a receiver.

According to an example embodiment, a surface wave is a type of guidedwave that is guided by a surface of a transmission medium, such as anexterior or outer surface of the wire, or another surface of the wirethat is adjacent to or exposed to another type of medium havingdifferent properties (e.g., dielectric properties). Indeed, in anexample embodiment, a surface of the wire that guides a surface wave canrepresent a transitional surface between two different types of media.For example, in the case of a bare or uninsulated wire, the surface ofthe wire can be the outer or exterior conductive surface of the bare oruninsulated wire that is exposed to air or free space. As anotherexample, in the case of insulated wire, the surface of the wire can bethe conductive portion of the wire that meets the insulator portion ofthe wire, or can otherwise be the insulator surface of the wire that isexposed to air or free space, or can otherwise be any material regionbetween the insulator surface of the wire and the conductive portion ofthe wire that meets the insulator portion of the wire, depending uponthe relative differences in the properties (e.g., dielectric properties)of the insulator, air, and/or the conductor and further dependent on thefrequency and propagation mode or modes of the guided wave.

According to an example embodiment, the term “about” a wire or othertransmission medium used in conjunction with a guided wave can includefundamental guided wave propagation modes such as a guided waves havinga circular or substantially circular field distribution, a symmetricalelectromagnetic field distribution (e.g., electric field, magneticfield, electromagnetic field, etc.) or other fundamental mode pattern atleast partially around a wire or other transmission medium. In addition,when a guided wave propagates “about” a wire or other transmissionmedium, it can do so according to a guided wave propagation mode thatincludes not only the fundamental wave propagation modes (e.g., zeroorder modes), but additionally or alternatively non-fundamental wavepropagation modes such as higher-order guided wave modes (e.g., 1^(st)order modes, 2^(nd) order modes, etc.), asymmetrical modes and/or otherguided (e.g., surface) waves that have non-circular field distributionsaround a wire or other transmission medium. As used herein, the term“guided wave mode” refers to a guided wave propagation mode of atransmission medium, coupling device or other system component of aguided wave communication system.

For example, such non-circular field distributions can be unilateral ormulti-lateral with one or more axial lobes characterized by relativelyhigher field strength and/or one or more nulls or null regionscharacterized by relatively low-field strength, zero-field strength orsubstantially zero-field strength. Further, the field distribution canotherwise vary as a function of azimuthal orientation around the wiresuch that one or more angular regions around the wire have an electricor magnetic field strength (or combination thereof) that is higher thanone or more other angular regions of azimuthal orientation, according toan example embodiment. It will be appreciated that the relativeorientations or positions of the guided wave higher order modes orasymmetrical modes can vary as the guided wave travels along the wire.

As used herein, the term “millimeter-wave” can refer to electromagneticwaves/signals that fall within the “millimeter-wave frequency band” of30 GHz to 300 GHz. The term “microwave” can refer to electromagneticwaves/signals that fall within a “microwave frequency band” of 300 MHzto 300 GHz. The term “radio frequency” or “RF” can refer toelectromagnetic waves/signals that fall within the “radio frequencyband” of 10 kHz to 1 THz. It is appreciated that wireless signals,electrical signals, and guided electromagnetic waves as described in thesubject disclosure can be configured to operate at any desirablefrequency range, such as, for example, at frequencies within, above orbelow millimeter-wave and/or microwave frequency bands. In particular,when a coupling device or transmission medium includes a conductiveelement, the frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves that arecarried by the coupling device and/or propagate along the transmissionmedium can be below the mean collision frequency of the electrons in theconductive element. Further, the frequency of the guided electromagneticwaves that are carried by the coupling device and/or propagate along thetransmission medium can be a non-optical frequency, e.g., a radiofrequency below the range of optical frequencies that begins at 1 THz.

As used herein, the term “antenna” can refer to a device that is part ofa transmitting or receiving system to transmit/radiate or receivewireless signals.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a communication deviceincludes a dielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distributionof relative permittivity. A cable comprising a dielectric core iscoupled to a feed point of the dielectric antenna. A transmitterfacilitates a transmission of the electromagnetic waves, theelectromagnetic waves guided by the dielectric core to the feed point ofthe dielectric antenna without an electrical return path.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an antenna structureincludes a feed point that facilitates coupling to a dielectric corethat supplies electromagnetic waves to the feed point. A soliddielectric antenna receives the electromagnetic waves, the soliddielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution of relativepermittivity.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an antenna includes three ormore dielectric sections each composed of a different dielectricmaterial.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram 100 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown.In operation, a transmission device 101 receives one or morecommunication signals 110 from a communication network or othercommunications device that includes data and generates guided waves 120to convey the data via the transmission medium 125 to the transmissiondevice 102. The transmission device 102 receives the guided waves 120and converts them to communication signals 112 that include the data fortransmission to a communications network or other communications device.The guided waves 120 can be modulated to convey data via a modulationtechnique such as phase shift keying, frequency shift keying, quadratureamplitude modulation, amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulationsuch as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and via multipleaccess techniques such as frequency division multiplexing, time divisionmultiplexing, code division multiplexing, multiplexing via differingwave propagation modes and via other modulation and access strategies.

The communication network or networks can include a wirelesscommunication network such as a mobile data network, a cellular voiceand data network, a wireless local area network (e.g., WiFi or an 802.xxnetwork), a satellite communications network, a personal area network orother wireless network. The communication network or networks can alsoinclude a wired communication network such as a telephone network, anEthernet network, a local area network, a wide area network such as theInternet, a broadband access network, a cable network, a fiber opticnetwork, or other wired network. The communication devices can include anetwork edge device, bridge device or home gateway, a set-top box,broadband modem, telephone adapter, access point, base station, or otherfixed communication device, a mobile communication device such as anautomotive gateway or automobile, laptop computer, tablet, smartphone,cellular telephone, or other communication device.

In an example embodiment, the guided wave communication system 100 canoperate in a bi-directional fashion where transmission device 102receives one or more communication signals 112 from a communicationnetwork or device that includes other data and generates guided waves122 to convey the other data via the transmission medium 125 to thetransmission device 101. In this mode of operation, the transmissiondevice 101 receives the guided waves 122 and converts them tocommunication signals 110 that include the other data for transmissionto a communications network or device. The guided waves 122 can bemodulated to convey data via a modulation technique such as phase shiftkeying, frequency shift keying, quadrature amplitude modulation,amplitude modulation, multi-carrier modulation such as orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing and via multiple access techniques suchas frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, codedivision multiplexing, multiplexing via differing wave propagation modesand via other modulation and access strategies.

The transmission medium 125 can include a cable having at least oneinner portion surrounded by a dielectric material such as an insulatoror other dielectric cover, coating or other dielectric material, thedielectric material having an outer surface and a correspondingcircumference. In an example embodiment, the transmission medium 125operates as a single-wire transmission line to guide the transmission ofan electromagnetic wave. When the transmission medium 125 is implementedas a single wire transmission system, it can include a wire. The wirecan be insulated or uninsulated, and single-stranded or multi-stranded(e.g., braided). In other embodiments, the transmission medium 125 cancontain conductors of other shapes or configurations including wirebundles, cables, rods, rails, pipes. In addition, the transmissionmedium 125 can include non-conductors such as dielectric pipes, rods,rails, or other dielectric members; combinations of conductors anddielectric materials, conductors without dielectric materials or otherguided wave transmission media. It should be noted that the transmissionmedium 125 can otherwise include any of the transmission mediapreviously discussed.

Further, as previously discussed, the guided waves 120 and 122 can becontrasted with radio transmissions over free space/air or conventionalpropagation of electrical power or signals through the conductor of awire via an electrical circuit. In addition to the propagation of guidedwaves 120 and 122, the transmission medium 125 may optionally containone or more wires that propagate electrical power or other communicationsignals in a conventional manner as a part of one or more electricalcircuits.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a transmission device is shown. Thetransmission device 101 or 102 includes a communications interface (I/F)205, a transceiver 210 and a coupler 220.

In an example of operation, the communications interface 205 receives acommunication signal 110 or 112 that includes data. In variousembodiments, the communications interface 205 can include a wirelessinterface for receiving a wireless communication signal in accordancewith a wireless standard protocol such as LTE or other cellular voiceand data protocol, WiFi or an 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, UltraWideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbee protocol, a directbroadcast satellite (DBS) or other satellite communication protocol orother wireless protocol. In addition or in the alternative, thecommunications interface 205 includes a wired interface that operates inaccordance with an Ethernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB)protocol, a data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS)protocol, a digital subscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE1394) protocol, or other wired protocol. In additional tostandards-based protocols, the communications interface 205 can operatein conjunction with other wired or wireless protocol. In addition, thecommunications interface 205 can optionally operate in conjunction witha protocol stack that includes multiple protocol layers including a MACprotocol, transport protocol, application protocol, etc.

In an example of operation, the transceiver 210 generates anelectromagnetic wave based on the communication signal 110 or 112 toconvey the data. The electromagnetic wave has at least one carrierfrequency and at least one corresponding wavelength. The carrierfrequency can be within a millimeter-wave frequency band of 30 GHz-300GHz, such as 60 GHz or a carrier frequency in the range of 30-40 GHz ora lower frequency band of 300 MHz-30 GHz in the microwave frequencyrange such as 26-30 GHz, 11 GHz, 6 GHz or 3 GHz, but it will beappreciated that other carrier frequencies are possible in otherembodiments. In one mode of operation, the transceiver 210 merelyupconverts the communications signal or signals 110 or 112 fortransmission of the electromagnetic signal in the microwave ormillimeter-wave band as a guided electromagnetic wave that is guided byor bound to the transmission medium 125. In another mode of operation,the communications interface 205 either converts the communicationsignal 110 or 112 to a baseband or near baseband signal or extracts thedata from the communication signal 110 or 112 and the transceiver 210modulates a high-frequency carrier with the data, the baseband or nearbaseband signal for transmission. It should be appreciated that thetransceiver 210 can modulate the data received via the communicationsignal 110 or 112 to preserve one or more data communication protocolsof the communication signal 110 or 112 either by encapsulation in thepayload of a different protocol or by simple frequency shifting. In thealternative, the transceiver 210 can otherwise translate the datareceived via the communication signal 110 or 112 to a protocol that isdifferent from the data communication protocol or protocols of thecommunication signal 110 or 112.

In an example of operation, the coupler 220 couples the electromagneticwave to the transmission medium 125 as a guided electromagnetic wave toconvey the communications signal or signals 110 or 112. While the priordescription has focused on the operation of the transceiver 210 as atransmitter, the transceiver 210 can also operate to receiveelectromagnetic waves that convey other data from the single wiretransmission medium via the coupler 220 and to generate communicationssignals 110 or 112, via communications interface 205 that includes theother data. Consider embodiments where an additional guidedelectromagnetic wave conveys other data that also propagates along thetransmission medium 125. The coupler 220 can also couple this additionalelectromagnetic wave from the transmission medium 125 to the transceiver210 for reception.

The transmission device 101 or 102 includes an optional trainingcontroller 230. In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 isimplemented by a standalone processor or a processor that is shared withone or more other components of the transmission device 101 or 102. Thetraining controller 230 selects the carrier frequencies, modulationschemes and/or guided wave modes for the guided electromagnetic wavesbased on feedback data received by the transceiver 210 from at least oneremote transmission device coupled to receive the guided electromagneticwave.

In an example embodiment, a guided electromagnetic wave transmitted by aremote transmission device 101 or 102 conveys data that also propagatesalong the transmission medium 125. The data from the remote transmissiondevice 101 or 102 can be generated to include the feedback data. Inoperation, the coupler 220 also couples the guided electromagnetic wavefrom the transmission medium 125 and the transceiver receives theelectromagnetic wave and processes the electromagnetic wave to extractthe feedback data.

In an example embodiment, the training controller 230 operates based onthe feedback data to evaluate a plurality of candidate frequencies,modulation schemes and/or transmission modes to select a carrierfrequency, modulation scheme and/or transmission mode to enhanceperformance, such as throughput, signal strength, reduce propagationloss, etc.

Consider the following example: a transmission device 101 beginsoperation under control of the training controller 230 by sending aplurality of guided waves as test signals such as pilot waves or othertest signals at a corresponding plurality of candidate frequenciesand/or candidate modes directed to a remote transmission device 102coupled to the transmission medium 125. The guided waves can include, inaddition or in the alternative, test data. The test data can indicatethe particular candidate frequency and/or guide-wave mode of the signal.In an embodiment, the training controller 230 at the remote transmissiondevice 102 receives the test signals and/or test data from any of theguided waves that were properly received and determines the bestcandidate frequency and/or guided wave mode, a set of acceptablecandidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes, or a rank ordering ofcandidate frequencies and/or guided wave modes. This selection ofcandidate frequenc(ies) or/and guided-mode(s) are generated by thetraining controller 230 based on one or more optimizing criteria such asreceived signal strength, bit error rate, packet error rate, signal tonoise ratio, propagation loss, etc. The training controller 230generates feedback data that indicates the selection of candidatefrequenc(ies) or/and guided wave mode(s) and sends the feedback data tothe transceiver 210 for transmission to the transmission device 101. Thetransmission device 101 and 102 can then communicate data with oneanother based on the selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/and guidedwave mode(s).

In other embodiments, the guided electromagnetic waves that contain thetest signals and/or test data are reflected back, repeated back orotherwise looped back by the remote transmission device 102 to thetransmission device 101 for reception and analysis by the trainingcontroller 230 of the transmission device 101 that initiated thesewaves. For example, the transmission device 101 can send a signal to theremote transmission device 102 to initiate a test mode where a physicalreflector is switched on the line, a termination impedance is changed tocause reflections, a loop back mode is switched on to coupleelectromagnetic waves back to the source transmission device 102, and/ora repeater mode is enabled to amplify and retransmit the electromagneticwaves back to the source transmission device 102. The trainingcontroller 230 at the source transmission device 102 receives the testsignals and/or test data from any of the guided waves that were properlyreceived and determines selection of candidate frequenc(ies) or/andguided wave mode(s).

While the procedure above has been described in a start-up orinitialization mode of operation, each transmission device 101 or 102can send test signals, evaluate candidate frequencies or guided wavemodes via non-test such as normal transmissions or otherwise evaluatecandidate frequencies or guided wave modes at other times orcontinuously as well. In an example embodiment, the communicationprotocol between the transmission devices 101 and 102 can include anon-request or periodic test mode where either full testing or morelimited testing of a subset of candidate frequencies and guided wavemodes are tested and evaluated. In other modes of operation, there-entry into such a test mode can be triggered by a degradation ofperformance due to a disturbance, weather conditions, etc. In an exampleembodiment, the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is eithersufficiently wide or swept to receive all candidate frequencies or canbe selectively adjusted by the training controller 230 to a trainingmode where the receiver bandwidth of the transceiver 210 is sufficientlywide or swept to receive all candidate frequencies.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a graphical diagram 300 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic fielddistribution is shown. In this embodiment, a transmission medium 125 inair includes an inner conductor 301 and an insulating jacket 302 ofdielectric material, as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includesdifferent gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic fieldstrengths generated by the propagation of the guided wave having anasymmetrical and non-fundamental guided wave mode.

In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution corresponds to amodal “sweet spot” that enhances guided electromagnetic wave propagationalong an insulated transmission medium and reduces end-to-endtransmission loss. In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves areguided by the transmission medium 125 to propagate along an outersurface of the transmission medium—in this case, the outer surface ofthe insulating jacket 302. Electromagnetic waves are partially embeddedin the insulator and partially radiating on the outer surface of theinsulator. In this fashion, electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupledto the insulator so as to enable electromagnetic wave propagation atlong distances with low propagation loss.

As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that lies primarily orsubstantially outside of the transmission medium 125 that serves toguide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor 301have little or no field. Likewise regions inside the insulating jacket302 have low field strength. The majority of the electromagnetic fieldstrength is distributed in the lobes 304 at the outer surface of theinsulating jacket 302 and in close proximity thereof. The presence of anasymmetric guided wave mode is shown by the high electromagnetic fieldstrengths at the top and bottom of the outer surface of the insulatingjacket 302 (in the orientation of the diagram)—as opposed to very smallfield strengths on the other sides of the insulating jacket 302.

The example shown corresponds to a 38 GHz electromagnetic wave guided bya wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulation ofthickness of 0.36 cm. Because the electromagnetic wave is guided by thetransmission medium 125 and the majority of the field strength isconcentrated in the air outside of the insulating jacket 302 within alimited distance of the outer surface, the guided wave can propagatelongitudinally down the transmission medium 125 with very low loss. Inthe example shown, this “limited distance” corresponds to a distancefrom the outer surface that is less than half the largest crosssectional dimension of the transmission medium 125. In this case, thelargest cross sectional dimension of the wire corresponds to the overalldiameter of 1.82 cm, however, this value can vary with the size andshape of the transmission medium 125. For example, should thetransmission medium 125 be of a rectangular shape with a height of 0.3cm and a width of 0.4 cm, the largest cross sectional dimension would bethe diagonal of 0.5 cm and the corresponding limited distance would be0.25 cm. The dimensions of the area containing the majority of the fieldstrength also vary with the frequency, and in general, increase ascarrier frequencies decrease.

It should also be noted that the components of a guided wavecommunication system, such as couplers and transmission media can havetheir own cut-off frequencies for each guided wave mode. The cut-offfrequency generally sets forth the lowest frequency that a particularguided wave mode is designed to be supported by that particularcomponent. In an example embodiment, the particular asymmetric mode ofpropagation shown is induced on the transmission medium 125 by anelectromagnetic wave having a frequency that falls within a limitedrange (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-off frequency Fc for thisparticular asymmetric mode. The lower cut-off frequency Fc is particularto the characteristics of transmission medium 125. For embodiments asshown that include an inner conductor 301 surrounded by an insulatingjacket 302, this cutoff frequency can vary based on the dimensions andproperties of the insulating jacket 302 and potentially the dimensionsand properties of the inner conductor 301 and can be determinedexperimentally to have a desired mode pattern. It should be notedhowever, that similar effects can be found for a hollow dielectric orinsulator without an inner conductor. In this case, the cutoff frequencycan vary based on the dimensions and properties of the hollow dielectricor insulator.

At frequencies lower than the lower cut-off frequency, the asymmetricmode is difficult to induce in the transmission medium 125 and fails topropagate for all but trivial distances. As the frequency increasesabove the limited range of frequencies about the cut-off frequency, theasymmetric mode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket302. At frequencies much larger than the cut-off frequency, the fieldstrength is no longer concentrated outside of the insulating jacket, butprimarily inside of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmissionmedium 125 provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave andpropagation is still possible, ranges are more limited by increasedlosses due to propagation within the insulating jacket 302—as opposed tothe surrounding air.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a graphical diagram 400 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic fielddistribution is shown. In particular, a cross section diagram 400,similar to FIG. 3 is shown with common reference numerals used to referto similar elements. The example shown corresponds to a 60 GHz waveguided by a wire with a diameter of 1.1 cm and a dielectric insulationof thickness of 0.36 cm. Because the frequency of the guided wave isabove the limited range of the cut-off frequency of this particularasymmetric mode, much of the field strength has shifted inward of theinsulating jacket 302. In particular, the field strength is concentratedprimarily inside of the insulating jacket 302. While the transmissionmedium 125 provides strong guidance to the electromagnetic wave andpropagation is still possible, ranges are more limited when comparedwith the embodiment of FIG. 3, by increased losses due to propagationwithin the insulating jacket 302.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a graphical diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a frequency response is shown. In particular,diagram 500 presents a graph of end-to-end loss (in dB) as a function offrequency, overlaid with electromagnetic field distributions 510, 520and 530 at three points for a 200 cm insulated medium voltage wire. Theboundary between the insulator and the surrounding air is represented byreference numeral 525 in each electromagnetic field distribution.

As discussed in conjunction with FIG. 3, an example of a desiredasymmetric mode of propagation shown is induced on the transmissionmedium 125 by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that fallswithin a limited range (such as Fc to 2Fc) of the lower cut-offfrequency Fc of the transmission medium for this particular asymmetricmode. In particular, the electromagnetic field distribution 520 at 6 GHzfalls within this modal “sweet spot” that enhances electromagnetic wavepropagation along an insulated transmission medium and reducesend-to-end transmission loss. In this particular mode, guided waves arepartially embedded in the insulator and partially radiating on the outersurface of the insulator. In this fashion, the electromagnetic waves are“lightly” coupled to the insulator so as to enable guidedelectromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagationloss.

At lower frequencies represented by the electromagnetic fielddistribution 510 at 3 GHz, the asymmetric mode radiates more heavilygenerating higher propagation losses. At higher frequencies representedby the electromagnetic field distribution 530 at 9 GHz, the asymmetricmode shifts more and more inward of the insulating jacket providing toomuch absorption, again generating higher propagation losses.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, a graphical diagram 550 illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of a longitudinal cross-section of atransmission medium 125, such as an insulated wire, depicting fields ofguided electromagnetic waves at various operating frequencies is shown.As shown in diagram 556, when the guided electromagnetic waves are atapproximately the cutoff frequency (f_(c)) corresponding to the modal“sweet spot”, the guided electromagnetic waves are loosely coupled tothe insulated wire so that absorption is reduced, and the fields of theguided electromagnetic waves are bound sufficiently to reduce the amountradiated into the environment (e.g., air). Because absorption andradiation of the fields of the guided electromagnetic waves is low,propagation losses are consequently low, enabling the guidedelectromagnetic waves to propagate for longer distances.

As shown in diagram 554, propagation losses increase when an operatingfrequency of the guide electromagnetic waves increases above abouttwo-times the cutoff frequency (f_(c))—or as referred to, above therange of the “sweet spot”. More of the field strength of theelectromagnetic wave is driven inside the insulating layer, increasingpropagation losses. At frequencies much higher than the cutoff frequency(f_(c)) the guided electromagnetic waves are strongly bound to theinsulated wire as a result of the fields emitted by the guidedelectromagnetic waves being concentrated in the insulation layer of thewire, as shown in diagram 552. This in turn raises propagation lossesfurther due to absorption of the guided electromagnetic waves by theinsulation layer. Similarly, propagation losses increase when theoperating frequency of the guided electromagnetic waves is substantiallybelow the cutoff frequency (f_(c)), as shown in diagram 558. Atfrequencies much lower than the cutoff frequency (f_(c)) the guidedelectromagnetic waves are weakly (or nominally) bound to the insulatedwire and thereby tend to radiate into the environment (e.g., air), whichin turn, raises propagation losses due to radiation of the guidedelectromagnetic waves.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a graphical diagram 600 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic fielddistribution is shown. In this embodiment, a transmission medium 602 isa bare wire, as shown in cross section. The diagram 300 includesdifferent gray-scales that represent differing electromagnetic fieldstrengths generated by the propagation of a guided wave having asymmetrical and fundamental guided wave mode at a single carrierfrequency.

In this particular mode, electromagnetic waves are guided by thetransmission medium 602 to propagate along an outer surface of thetransmission medium—in this case, the outer surface of the bare wire.Electromagnetic waves are “lightly” coupled to the wire so as to enableelectromagnetic wave propagation at long distances with low propagationloss. As shown, the guided wave has a field structure that liessubstantially outside of the transmission medium 602 that serves toguide the electromagnetic waves. The regions inside the conductor 602have little or no field.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram 700 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In particular acoupling device is presented for use in a transmission device, such astransmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1. Thecoupling device includes an arc coupler 704 coupled to a transmittercircuit 712 and termination or damper 714. The arc coupler 704 can bemade of a dielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g.,Teflon, polyethylene, etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic,non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoingmaterials. As shown, the arc coupler 704 operates as a waveguide and hasa wave 706 propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface of thearc coupler 704. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of the arccoupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmission medium,(such as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitate couplingbetween the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702 or other transmissionmedium, as described herein to launch the guided wave 708 on the wire.The arc coupler 704 can be placed such that a portion of the curved arccoupler 704 is tangential to, and parallel or substantially parallel tothe wire 702. The portion of the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to thewire can be an apex of the curve, or any point where a tangent of thecurve is parallel to the wire 702. When the arc coupler 704 ispositioned or placed thusly, the wave 706 travelling along the arccoupler 704 couples, at least in part, to the wire 702, and propagatesas guided wave 708 around or about the wire surface of the wire 702 andlongitudinally along the wire 702. The guided wave 708 can becharacterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave that isguided by or bound to the wire 702 or other transmission medium.

A portion of the wave 706 that does not couple to the wire 702propagates as a wave 710 along the arc coupler 704. It will beappreciated that the arc coupler 704 can be configured and arranged in avariety of positions in relation to the wire 702 to achieve a desiredlevel of coupling or non-coupling of the wave 706 to the wire 702. Forexample, the curvature and/or length of the arc coupler 704 that isparallel or substantially parallel, as well as its separation distance(which can include zero separation distance in an embodiment), to thewire 702 can be varied without departing from example embodiments.Likewise, the arrangement of arc coupler 704 in relation to the wire 702may be varied based upon considerations of the respective intrinsiccharacteristics (e.g., thickness, composition, electromagneticproperties, etc.) of the wire 702 and the arc coupler 704, as well asthe characteristics (e.g., frequency, energy level, etc.) of the waves706 and 708.

The guided wave 708 stays parallel or substantially parallel to the wire702, even as the wire 702 bends and flexes. Bends in the wire 702 canincrease transmission losses, which are also dependent on wirediameters, frequency, and materials. If the dimensions of the arccoupler 704 are chosen for efficient power transfer, most of the powerin the wave 706 is transferred to the wire 702, with little powerremaining in wave 710. It will be appreciated that the guided wave 708can still be multi-modal in nature (discussed herein), including havingmodes that are non-fundamental or asymmetric, while traveling along apath that is parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702, with orwithout a fundamental transmission mode. In an embodiment,non-fundamental or asymmetric modes can be utilized to minimizetransmission losses and/or obtain increased propagation distances.

It is noted that the term parallel is generally a geometric constructwhich often is not exactly achievable in real systems. Accordingly, theterm parallel as utilized in the subject disclosure represents anapproximation rather than an exact configuration when used to describeembodiments disclosed in the subject disclosure. In an embodiment,substantially parallel can include approximations that are within 30degrees of true parallel in all dimensions.

In an embodiment, the wave 706 can exhibit one or more wave propagationmodes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or designof the coupler 704. The one or more arc coupler modes of wave 706 cangenerate, influence, or impact one or more wave propagation modes of theguided wave 708 propagating along wire 702. It should be particularlynoted however that the guided wave modes present in the guided wave 706may be the same or different from the guided wave modes of the guidedwave 708. In this fashion, one or more guided wave modes of the guidedwave 706 may not be transferred to the guided wave 708, and further oneor more guided wave modes of guided wave 708 may not have been presentin guided wave 706. It should also be noted that the cut-off frequencyof the arc coupler 704 for a particular guided wave mode may bedifferent than the cutoff frequency of the wire 702 or othertransmission medium for that same mode. For example, while the wire 702or other transmission medium may be operated slightly above its cutofffrequency for a particular guided wave mode, the arc coupler 704 may beoperated well above its cut-off frequency for that same mode for lowloss, slightly below its cut-off frequency for that same mode to, forexample, induce greater coupling and power transfer, or some other pointin relation to the arc coupler's cutoff frequency for that mode.

In an embodiment, the wave propagation modes on the wire 702 can besimilar to the arc coupler modes since both waves 706 and 708 propagateabout the outside of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702 respectively. Insome embodiments, as the wave 706 couples to the wire 702, the modes canchange form, or new modes can be created or generated, due to thecoupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702. For example,differences in size, material, and/or impedances of the arc coupler 704and wire 702 may create additional modes not present in the arc couplermodes and/or suppress some of the arc coupler modes. The wavepropagation modes can comprise the fundamental transverseelectromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM₀₀), where only small electric and/ormagnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electricand magnetic fields extend radially outwards while the guided wavepropagates along the wire. This guided wave mode can be donut shaped,where few of the electromagnetic fields exist within the arc coupler 704or wire 702.

Waves 706 and 708 can comprise a fundamental TEM mode where the fieldsextend radially outwards, and also comprise other, non-fundamental(e.g., asymmetric, higher-level, etc.) modes. While particular wavepropagation modes are discussed above, other wave propagation modes arelikewise possible such as transverse electric (TE) and transversemagnetic (TM) modes, based on the frequencies employed, the design ofthe arc coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of the wire 702, aswell as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, theelectromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc. Itshould be noted that, depending on the frequency, the electrical andphysical characteristics of the wire 702 and the particular wavepropagation modes that are generated, guided wave 708 can travel alongthe conductive surface of an oxidized uninsulated wire, an unoxidizeduninsulated wire, an insulated wire and/or along the insulating surfaceof an insulated wire.

In an embodiment, a diameter of the arc coupler 704 is smaller than thediameter of the wire 702. For the millimeter-band wavelength being used,the arc coupler 704 supports a single waveguide mode that makes up wave706. This single waveguide mode can change as it couples to the wire 702as guided wave 708. If the arc coupler 704 were larger, more than onewaveguide mode can be supported, but these additional waveguide modesmay not couple to the wire 702 as efficiently, and higher couplinglosses can result. However, in some alternative embodiments, thediameter of the arc coupler 704 can be equal to or larger than thediameter of the wire 702, for example, where higher coupling losses aredesirable or when used in conjunction with other techniques to otherwisereduce coupling losses (e.g., impedance matching with tapering, etc.).

In an embodiment, the wavelength of the waves 706 and 708 are comparablein size, or smaller than a circumference of the arc coupler 704 and thewire 702. In an example, if the wire 702 has a diameter of 0.5 cm, and acorresponding circumference of around 1.5 cm, the wavelength of thetransmission is around 1.5 cm or less, corresponding to a frequency of70 GHz or greater. In another embodiment, a suitable frequency of thetransmission and the carrier-wave signal is in the range of 30-100 GHz,perhaps around 30-60 GHz, and around 38 GHz in one example. In anembodiment, when the circumference of the arc coupler 704 and wire 702is comparable in size to, or greater, than a wavelength of thetransmission, the waves 706 and 708 can exhibit multiple wavepropagation modes including fundamental and/or non-fundamental(symmetric and/or asymmetric) modes that propagate over sufficientdistances to support various communication systems described herein. Thewaves 706 and 708 can therefore comprise more than one type of electricand magnetic field configuration. In an embodiment, as the guided wave708 propagates down the wire 702, the electrical and magnetic fieldconfigurations will remain the same from end to end of the wire 702. Inother embodiments, as the guided wave 708 encounters interference(distortion or obstructions) or loses energy due to transmission lossesor scattering, the electric and magnetic field configurations can changeas the guided wave 708 propagates down wire 702.

In an embodiment, the arc coupler 704 can be composed of nylon, Teflon,polyethylene, a polyamide, or other plastics. In other embodiments,other dielectric materials are possible. The wire surface of wire 702can be metallic with either a bare metallic surface, or can be insulatedusing plastic, dielectric, insulator or other coating, jacket orsheathing. In an embodiment, a dielectric or otherwisenon-conducting/insulated waveguide can be paired with either abare/metallic wire or insulated wire. In other embodiments, a metallicand/or conductive waveguide can be paired with a bare/metallic wire orinsulated wire. In an embodiment, an oxidation layer on the baremetallic surface of the wire 702 (e.g., resulting from exposure of thebare metallic surface to oxygen/air) can also provide insulating ordielectric properties similar to those provided by some insulators orsheathings.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 706, 708 and 710are presented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 706 inducesor otherwise launches a guided wave 708 on a wire 702 that operates, forexample, as a single wire transmission line. Wave 710 represents theportion of wave 706 that remains on the arc coupler 704 after thegeneration of guided wave 708. The actual electric and magnetic fieldsgenerated as a result of such wave propagation may vary depending on thefrequencies employed, the particular wave propagation mode or modes, thedesign of the arc coupler 704, the dimensions and composition of thewire 702, as well as its surface characteristics, its optionalinsulation, the electromagnetic properties of the surroundingenvironment, etc.

It is noted that arc coupler 704 can include a termination circuit ordamper 714 at the end of the arc coupler 704 that can absorb leftoverradiation or energy from wave 710. The termination circuit or damper 714can prevent and/or minimize the leftover radiation or energy from wave710 reflecting back toward transmitter circuit 712. In an embodiment,the termination circuit or damper 714 can include termination resistors,and/or other components that perform impedance matching to attenuatereflection. In some embodiments, if the coupling efficiencies are highenough, and/or wave 710 is sufficiently small, it may not be necessaryto use a termination circuit or damper 714. For the sake of simplicity,these transmitter 712 and termination circuits or dampers 714 may not bedepicted in the other figures, but in those embodiments, transmitter andtermination circuits or dampers may possibly be used.

Further, while a single arc coupler 704 is presented that generates asingle guided wave 708, multiple arc couplers 704 placed at differentpoints along the wire 702 and/or at different azimuthal orientationsabout the wire can be employed to generate and receive multiple guidedwaves 708 at the same or different frequencies, at the same or differentphases, at the same or different wave propagation modes.

FIG. 8, a block diagram 800 illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of an arc coupler is shown. In the embodiment shown, at leasta portion of the coupler 704 can be placed near a wire 702 or othertransmission medium, (such as transmission medium 125), in order tofacilitate coupling between the arc coupler 704 and the wire 702 orother transmission medium, to extract a portion of the guided wave 806as a guided wave 808 as described herein. The arc coupler 704 can beplaced such that a portion of the curved arc coupler 704 is tangentialto, and parallel or substantially parallel to the wire 702. The portionof the arc coupler 704 that is parallel to the wire can be an apex ofthe curve, or any point where a tangent of the curve is parallel to thewire 702. When the arc coupler 704 is positioned or placed thusly, thewave 806 travelling along the wire 702 couples, at least in part, to thearc coupler 704, and propagates as guided wave 808 along the arc coupler704 to a receiving device (not expressly shown). A portion of the wave806 that does not couple to the arc coupler propagates as wave 810 alongthe wire 702 or other transmission medium.

In an embodiment, the wave 806 can exhibit one or more wave propagationmodes. The arc coupler modes can be dependent on the shape and/or designof the coupler 704. The one or more modes of guided wave 806 cangenerate, influence, or impact one or more guide-wave modes of theguided wave 808 propagating along the arc coupler 704. It should beparticularly noted however that the guided wave modes present in theguided wave 806 may be the same or different from the guided wave modesof the guided wave 808. In this fashion, one or more guided wave modesof the guided wave 806 may not be transferred to the guided wave 808,and further one or more guided wave modes of guided wave 808 may nothave been present in guided wave 806.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, a block diagram 900 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a stub coupler is shown. In particular acoupling device that includes stub coupler 904 is presented for use in atransmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented inconjunction with FIG. 1. The stub coupler 904 can be made of adielectric material, or other low-loss insulator (e.g., Teflon,polyethylene and etc.), or made of a conducting (e.g., metallic,non-metallic, etc.) material, or any combination of the foregoingmaterials. As shown, the stub coupler 904 operates as a waveguide andhas a wave 906 propagating as a guided wave about a waveguide surface ofthe stub coupler 904. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of thestub coupler 904 can be placed near a wire 702 or other transmissionmedium, (such as transmission medium 125), in order to facilitatecoupling between the stub coupler 904 and the wire 702 or othertransmission medium, as described herein to launch the guided wave 908on the wire.

In an embodiment, the stub coupler 904 is curved, and an end of the stubcoupler 904 can be tied, fastened, or otherwise mechanically coupled toa wire 702. When the end of the stub coupler 904 is fastened to the wire702, the end of the stub coupler 904 is parallel or substantiallyparallel to the wire 702. Alternatively, another portion of thedielectric waveguide beyond an end can be fastened or coupled to wire702 such that the fastened or coupled portion is parallel orsubstantially parallel to the wire 702. The fastener 910 can be a nyloncable tie or other type of non-conducting/dielectric material that iseither separate from the stub coupler 904 or constructed as anintegrated component of the stub coupler 904. The stub coupler 904 canbe adjacent to the wire 702 without surrounding the wire 702.

Like the arc coupler 704 described in conjunction with FIG. 7, when thestub coupler 904 is placed with the end parallel to the wire 702, theguided wave 906 travelling along the stub coupler 904 couples to thewire 702, and propagates as guided wave 908 about the wire surface ofthe wire 702. In an example embodiment, the guided wave 908 can becharacterized as a surface wave or other electromagnetic wave.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 906 and 908 arepresented merely to illustrate the principles that wave 906 induces orotherwise launches a guided wave 908 on a wire 702 that operates, forexample, as a single wire transmission line. The actual electric andmagnetic fields generated as a result of such wave propagation may varydepending on one or more of the shape and/or design of the coupler, therelative position of the dielectric waveguide to the wire, thefrequencies employed, the design of the stub coupler 904, the dimensionsand composition of the wire 702, as well as its surface characteristics,its optional insulation, the electromagnetic properties of thesurrounding environment, etc.

In an embodiment, an end of stub coupler 904 can taper towards the wire702 in order to increase coupling efficiencies. Indeed, the tapering ofthe end of the stub coupler 904 can provide impedance matching to thewire 702 and reduce reflections, according to an example embodiment ofthe subject disclosure. For example, an end of the stub coupler 904 canbe gradually tapered in order to obtain a desired level of couplingbetween waves 906 and 908 as illustrated in FIG. 9A.

In an embodiment, the fastener 910 can be placed such that there is ashort length of the stub coupler 904 between the fastener 910 and an endof the stub coupler 904. Maximum coupling efficiencies are realized inthis embodiment when the length of the end of the stub coupler 904 thatis beyond the fastener 910 is at least several wavelengths long forwhatever frequency is being transmitted.

Turning now to FIG. 9B, a diagram 950 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of an electromagnetic distribution in accordancewith various aspects described herein is shown. In particular, anelectromagnetic distribution is presented in two dimensions for atransmission device that includes coupler 952, shown in an example stubcoupler constructed of a dielectric material. The coupler 952 couples anelectromagnetic wave for propagation as a guided wave along an outersurface of a wire 702 or other transmission medium.

The coupler 952 guides the electromagnetic wave to a junction at x₀ viaa symmetrical guided wave mode. While some of the energy of theelectromagnetic wave that propagates along the coupler 952 is outside ofthe coupler 952, the majority of the energy of this electromagnetic waveis contained within the coupler 952. The junction at x₀ couples theelectromagnetic wave to the wire 702 or other transmission medium at anazimuthal angle corresponding to the bottom of the transmission medium.This coupling induces an electromagnetic wave that is guided topropagate along the outer surface of the wire 702 or other transmissionmedium via at least one guided wave mode in direction 956. The majorityof the energy of the guided electromagnetic wave is outside or, but inclose proximity to the outer surface of the wire 702 or othertransmission medium. In the example shown, the junction at x₀ forms anelectromagnetic wave that propagates via both a symmetrical mode and atleast one asymmetrical surface mode, such as the first order modepresented in conjunction with FIG. 3, that skims the surface of the wire702 or other transmission medium.

It is noted that the graphical representations of guided waves arepresented merely to illustrate an example of guided wave coupling andpropagation. The actual electric and magnetic fields generated as aresult of such wave propagation may vary depending on the frequenciesemployed, the design and/or configuration of the coupler 952, thedimensions and composition of the wire 702 or other transmission medium,as well as its surface characteristics, its insulation if present, theelectromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.

Turning now to FIG. 10A, illustrated is a block diagram 1000 of anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a coupler and transceiver system inaccordance with various aspects described herein. The system is anexample of transmission device 101 or 102. In particular, thecommunication interface 1008 is an example of communications interface205, the stub coupler 1002 is an example of coupler 220, and thetransmitter/receiver device 1006, diplexer 1016, power amplifier 1014,low noise amplifier 1018, frequency mixers 1010 and 1020 and localoscillator 1012 collectively form an example of transceiver 210.

In operation, the transmitter/receiver device 1006 launches and receiveswaves (e.g., guided wave 1004 onto stub coupler 1002). The guided waves1004 can be used to transport signals received from and sent to a hostdevice, base station, mobile devices, a building or other device by wayof a communications interface 1008. The communications interface 1008can be an integral part of system 1000. Alternatively, thecommunications interface 1008 can be tethered to system 1000. Thecommunications interface 1008 can comprise a wireless interface forinterfacing to the host device, base station, mobile devices, a buildingor other device utilizing any of various wireless signaling protocols(e.g., LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, IEEE 802.xx, etc.) including an infraredprotocol such as an infrared data association (IrDA) protocol or otherline of sight optical protocol. The communications interface 1008 canalso comprise a wired interface such as a fiber optic line, coaxialcable, twisted pair, category 5 (CAT-5) cable or other suitable wired oroptical mediums for communicating with the host device, base station,mobile devices, a building or other device via a protocol such as anEthernet protocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data overcable service interface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol, orother wired or optical protocol. For embodiments where system 1000functions as a repeater, the communications interface 1008 may not benecessary.

The output signals (e.g., Tx) of the communications interface 1008 canbe combined with a carrier wave (e.g., millimeter-wave carrier wave)generated by a local oscillator 1012 at frequency mixer 1010. Frequencymixer 1010 can use heterodyning techniques or other frequency shiftingtechniques to frequency shift the output signals from communicationsinterface 1008. For example, signals sent to and from the communicationsinterface 1008 can be modulated signals such as orthogonal frequencydivision multiplexed (OFDM) signals formatted in accordance with aLong-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless protocol or other wireless 3G, 4G, 5Gor higher voice and data protocol, a Zigbee, WIMAX, UltraWideband orIEEE 802.11 wireless protocol; a wired protocol such as an Ethernetprotocol, universal serial bus (USB) protocol, a data over cable serviceinterface specification (DOCSIS) protocol, a digital subscriber line(DSL) protocol, a Firewire (IEEE 1394) protocol or other wired orwireless protocol. In an example embodiment, this frequency conversioncan be done in the analog domain, and as a result, the frequencyshifting can be done without regard to the type of communicationsprotocol used by a base station, mobile devices, or in-building devices.As new communications technologies are developed, the communicationsinterface 1008 can be upgraded (e.g., updated with software, firmware,and/or hardware) or replaced and the frequency shifting and transmissionapparatus can remain, simplifying upgrades. The carrier wave can then besent to a power amplifier (“PA”) 1014 and can be transmitted via thetransmitter receiver device 1006 via the diplexer 1016.

Signals received from the transmitter/receiver device 1006 that aredirected towards the communications interface 1008 can be separated fromother signals via diplexer 1016. The received signal can then be sent tolow noise amplifier (“LNA”) 1018 for amplification. A frequency mixer1020, with help from local oscillator 1012 can downshift the receivedsignal (which is in the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in someembodiments) to the native frequency. The communications interface 1008can then receive the transmission at an input port (Rx).

In an embodiment, transmitter/receiver device 1006 can include acylindrical or non-cylindrical metal (which, for example, can be hollowin an embodiment, but not necessarily drawn to scale) or otherconducting or non-conducting waveguide and an end of the stub coupler1002 can be placed in or in proximity to the waveguide or thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 such that when the transmitter/receiverdevice 1006 generates a transmission, the guided wave couples to stubcoupler 1002 and propagates as a guided wave 1004 about the waveguidesurface of the stub coupler 1002. In some embodiments, the guided wave1004 can propagate in part on the outer surface of the stub coupler 1002and in part inside the stub coupler 1002. In other embodiments, theguided wave 1004 can propagate substantially or completely on the outersurface of the stub coupler 1002. In yet other embodiments, the guidedwave 1004 can propagate substantially or completely inside the stubcoupler 1002. In this latter embodiment, the guided wave 1004 canradiate at an end of the stub coupler 1002 (such as the tapered endshown in FIG. 4) for coupling to a transmission medium such as a wire702 of FIG. 7. Similarly, if guided wave 1004 is incoming (coupled tothe stub coupler 1002 from a wire 702), guided wave 1004 then enters thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 and couples to the cylindricalwaveguide or conducting waveguide. While transmitter/receiver device1006 is shown to include a separate waveguide—an antenna, cavityresonator, klystron, magnetron, travelling wave tube, or other radiatingelement can be employed to induce a guided wave on the coupler 1002,with or without the separate waveguide.

In an embodiment, stub coupler 1002 can be wholly constructed of adielectric material (or another suitable insulating material), withoutany metallic or otherwise conducting materials therein. Stub coupler1002 can be composed of nylon, Teflon, polyethylene, a polyamide, otherplastics, or other materials that are non-conducting and suitable forfacilitating transmission of electromagnetic waves at least in part onan outer surface of such materials. In another embodiment, stub coupler1002 can include a core that is conducting/metallic, and have anexterior dielectric surface. Similarly, a transmission medium thatcouples to the stub coupler 1002 for propagating electromagnetic wavesinduced by the stub coupler 1002 or for supplying electromagnetic wavesto the stub coupler 1002 can, in addition to being a bare or insulatedwire, be wholly constructed of a dielectric material (or anothersuitable insulating material), without any metallic or otherwiseconducting materials therein.

It is noted that although FIG. 10A shows that the opening of transmitterreceiver device 1006 is much wider than the stub coupler 1002, this isnot to scale, and that in other embodiments the width of the stubcoupler 1002 is comparable or slightly smaller than the opening of thehollow waveguide. It is also not shown, but in an embodiment, an end ofthe coupler 1002 that is inserted into the transmitter/receiver device1006 tapers down in order to reduce reflection and increase couplingefficiencies.

Before coupling to the stub coupler 1002, the one or more waveguidemodes of the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device1006 can couple to the stub coupler 1002 to induce one or more wavepropagation modes of the guided wave 1004. The wave propagation modes ofthe guided wave 1004 can be different than the hollow metal waveguidemodes due to the different characteristics of the hollow metal waveguideand the dielectric waveguide. For instance, wave propagation modes ofthe guided wave 1004 can comprise the fundamental transverseelectromagnetic mode (Quasi-TEM₀₀), where only small electrical and/ormagnetic fields extend in the direction of propagation, and the electricand magnetic fields extend radially outwards from the stub coupler 1002while the guided waves propagate along the stub coupler 1002. Thefundamental transverse electromagnetic mode wave propagation mode may ormay not exist inside a waveguide that is hollow. Therefore, the hollowmetal waveguide modes that are used by transmitter/receiver device 1006are waveguide modes that can couple effectively and efficiently to wavepropagation modes of stub coupler 1002.

It will be appreciated that other constructs or combinations of thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 and stub coupler 1002 are possible. Forexample, a stub coupler 1002′ can be placed tangentially or in parallel(with or without a gap) with respect to an outer surface of the hollowmetal waveguide of the transmitter/receiver device 1006′ (correspondingcircuitry not shown) as depicted by reference 1000′ of FIG. 10B. Inanother embodiment, not shown by reference 1000′, the stub coupler 1002′can be placed inside the hollow metal waveguide of thetransmitter/receiver device 1006′ without an axis of the stub coupler1002′ being coaxially aligned with an axis of the hollow metal waveguideof the transmitter/receiver device 1006′. In either of theseembodiments, the guided wave generated by the transmitter/receiverdevice 1006′ can couple to a surface of the stub coupler 1002′ to induceone or more wave propagation modes of the guided wave 1004′ on the stubcoupler 1002′ including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode)and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode).

In one embodiment, the guided wave 1004′ can propagate in part on theouter surface of the stub coupler 1002′ and in part inside the stubcoupler 1002′. In another embodiment, the guided wave 1004′ canpropagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of the stubcoupler 1002′. In yet other embodiments, the guided wave 1004′ canpropagate substantially or completely inside the stub coupler 1002′. Inthis latter embodiment, the guided wave 1004′ can radiate at an end ofthe stub coupler 1002′ (such as the tapered end shown in FIG. 9) forcoupling to a transmission medium such as a wire 702 of FIG. 9.

It will be further appreciated that other constructs thetransmitter/receiver device 1006 are possible. For example, a hollowmetal waveguide of a transmitter/receiver device 1006″ (correspondingcircuitry not shown), depicted in FIG. 10B as reference 1000″, can beplaced tangentially or in parallel (with or without a gap) with respectto an outer surface of a transmission medium such as the wire 702 ofFIG. 4 without the use of the stub coupler 1002. In this embodiment, theguided wave generated by the transmitter/receiver device 1006″ cancouple to a surface of the wire 702 to induce one or more wavepropagation modes of a guided wave 908 on the wire 702 including afundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode) and/or a non-fundamental mode(e.g., asymmetric mode). In another embodiment, the wire 702 can bepositioned inside a hollow metal waveguide of a transmitter/receiverdevice 1006′″ (corresponding circuitry not shown) so that an axis of thewire 702 is coaxially (or not coaxially) aligned with an axis of thehollow metal waveguide without the use of the stub coupler 1002—see FIG.10B reference 1000′″. In this embodiment, the guided wave generated bythe transmitter/receiver device 1006′″ can couple to a surface of thewire 702 to induce one or more wave propagation modes of a guided wave908 on the wire including a fundamental mode (e.g., a symmetric mode)and/or a non-fundamental mode (e.g., asymmetric mode).

In the embodiments of 1000″ and 1000′″, for a wire 702 having aninsulated outer surface, the guided wave 908 can propagate in part onthe outer surface of the insulator and in part inside the insulator. Inembodiments, the guided wave 908 can propagate substantially orcompletely on the outer surface of the insulator, or substantially orcompletely inside the insulator. In the embodiments of 1000″ and 1000′″,for a wire 702 that is a bare conductor, the guided wave 908 canpropagate in part on the outer surface of the conductor and in partinside the conductor. In another embodiment, the guided wave 908 canpropagate substantially or completely on the outer surface of theconductor.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a block diagram 1100 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a dual stub coupler is shown. In particular,a dual coupler design is presented for use in a transmission device,such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction withFIG. 1. In an embodiment, two or more couplers (such as the stubcouplers 1104 and 1106) can be positioned around a wire 1102 in order toreceive guided wave 1108. In an embodiment, one coupler is enough toreceive the guided wave 1108. In that case, guided wave 1108 couples tocoupler 1104 and propagates as guided wave 1110. If the field structureof the guided wave 1108 oscillates or undulates around the wire 1102 dueto the particular guided wave mode(s) or various outside factors, thencoupler 1106 can be placed such that guided wave 1108 couples to coupler1106. In some embodiments, four or more couplers can be placed around aportion of the wire 1102, e.g., at 90 degrees or another spacing withrespect to each other, in order to receive guided waves that mayoscillate or rotate around the wire 1102, that have been induced atdifferent azimuthal orientations or that have non-fundamental or higherorder modes that, for example, have lobes and/or nulls or otherasymmetries that are orientation dependent. However, it will beappreciated that there may be less than or more than four couplersplaced around a portion of the wire 1102 without departing from exampleembodiments.

It should be noted that while couplers 1106 and 1104 are illustrated asstub couplers, any other of the coupler designs described hereinincluding arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers,etc., could likewise be used. It will also be appreciated that whilesome example embodiments have presented a plurality of couplers aroundat least a portion of a wire 1102, this plurality of couplers can alsobe considered as part of a single coupler system having multiple couplersubcomponents. For example, two or more couplers can be manufactured assingle system that can be installed around a wire in a singleinstallation such that the couplers are either pre-positioned oradjustable relative to each other (either manually or automatically witha controllable mechanism such as a motor or other actuator) inaccordance with the single system.

Receivers coupled to couplers 1106 and 1104 can use diversity combiningto combine signals received from both couplers 1106 and 1104 in order tomaximize the signal quality. In other embodiments, if one or the otherof the couplers 1104 and 1106 receive a transmission that is above apredetermined threshold, receivers can use selection diversity whendeciding which signal to use. Further, while reception by a plurality ofcouplers 1106 and 1104 is illustrated, transmission by couplers 1106 and1104 in the same configuration can likewise take place. In particular, awide range of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) transmission and receptiontechniques can be employed for transmissions where a transmissiondevice, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunctionwith FIG. 1 includes multiple transceivers and multiple couplers.

It is noted that the graphical representations of waves 1108 and 1110are presented merely to illustrate the principles that guided wave 1108induces or otherwise launches a wave 1110 on a coupler 1104. The actualelectric and magnetic fields generated as a result of such wavepropagation may vary depending on the frequencies employed, the designof the coupler 1104, the dimensions and composition of the wire 1102, aswell as its surface characteristics, its insulation if any, theelectromagnetic properties of the surrounding environment, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram 1200 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a repeater system is shown. In particular, arepeater device 1210 is presented for use in a transmission device, suchas transmission device 101 or 102 presented in conjunction with FIG. 1.In this system, two couplers 1204 and 1214 can be placed near a wire1202 or other transmission medium such that guided waves 1205propagating along the wire 1202 are extracted by coupler 1204 as wave1206 (e.g. as a guided wave), and then are boosted or repeated byrepeater device 1210 and launched as a wave 1216 (e.g. as a guided wave)onto coupler 1214. The wave 1216 can then be launched on the wire 1202and continue to propagate along the wire 1202 as a guided wave 1217. Inan embodiment, the repeater device 1210 can receive at least a portionof the power utilized for boosting or repeating through magneticcoupling with the wire 1202, for example, when the wire 1202 is a powerline or otherwise contains a power-carrying conductor. It should benoted that while couplers 1204 and 1214 are illustrated as stubcouplers, any other of the coupler designs described herein includingarc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magnetic couplers, or the like,could likewise be used.

In some embodiments, repeater device 1210 can repeat the transmissionassociated with wave 1206, and in other embodiments, repeater device1210 can include a communications interface 205 that extracts data orother signals from the wave 1206 for supplying such data or signals toanother network and/or one or more other devices as communicationsignals 110 or 112 and/or receiving communication signals 110 or 112from another network and/or one or more other devices and launch guidedwave 1216 having embedded therein the received communication signals 110or 112. In a repeater configuration, receiver waveguide 1208 can receivethe wave 1206 from the coupler 1204 and transmitter waveguide 1212 canlaunch guided wave 1216 onto coupler 1214 as guided wave 1217. Betweenreceiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide 1212, the signalembedded in guided wave 1206 and/or the guided wave 1216 itself can beamplified to correct for signal loss and other inefficiencies associatedwith guided wave communications or the signal can be received andprocessed to extract the data contained therein and regenerated fortransmission. In an embodiment, the receiver waveguide 1208 can beconfigured to extract data from the signal, process the data to correctfor data errors utilizing for example error correcting codes, andregenerate an updated signal with the corrected data. The transmitterwaveguide 1212 can then transmit guided wave 1216 with the updatedsignal embedded therein. In an embodiment, a signal embedded in guidedwave 1206 can be extracted from the transmission and processed forcommunication with another network and/or one or more other devices viacommunications interface 205 as communication signals 110 or 112.Similarly, communication signals 110 or 112 received by thecommunications interface 205 can be inserted into a transmission ofguided wave 1216 that is generated and launched onto coupler 1214 bytransmitter waveguide 1212.

It is noted that although FIG. 12 shows guided wave transmissions 1206and 1216 entering from the left and exiting to the right respectively,this is merely a simplification and is not intended to be limiting. Inother embodiments, receiver waveguide 1208 and transmitter waveguide1212 can also function as transmitters and receivers respectively,allowing the repeater device 1210 to be bi-directional.

In an embodiment, repeater device 1210 can be placed at locations wherethere are discontinuities or obstacles on the wire 1202 or othertransmission medium. In the case where the wire 1202 is a power line,these obstacles can include transformers, connections, utility poles,and other such power line devices. The repeater device 1210 can help theguided (e.g., surface) waves jump over these obstacles on the line andboost the transmission power at the same time. In other embodiments, acoupler can be used to jump over the obstacle without the use of arepeater device. In that embodiment, both ends of the coupler can betied or fastened to the wire, thus providing a path for the guided waveto travel without being blocked by the obstacle.

Turning now to FIG. 13, illustrated is a block diagram 1300 of anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater inaccordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, abidirectional repeater device 1306 is presented for use in atransmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented inconjunction with FIG. 1. It should be noted that while the couplers areillustrated as stub couplers, any other of the coupler designs describedherein including arc couplers, antenna or horn couplers, magneticcouplers, or the like, could likewise be used. The bidirectionalrepeater 1306 can employ diversity paths in the case of when two or morewires or other transmission media are present. Since guided wavetransmissions have different transmission efficiencies and couplingefficiencies for transmission medium of different types such asinsulated wires, un-insulated wires or other types of transmission mediaand further, if exposed to the elements, can be affected by weather, andother atmospheric conditions, it can be advantageous to selectivelytransmit on different transmission media at certain times. In variousembodiments, the various transmission media can be designated as aprimary, secondary, tertiary, etc. whether or not such designationindicates a preference of one transmission medium over another.

In the embodiment shown, the transmission media include an insulated oruninsulated wire 1302 and an insulated or uninsulated wire 1304(referred to herein as wires 1302 and 1304, respectively). The repeaterdevice 1306 uses a receiver coupler 1308 to receive a guided wavetraveling along wire 1302 and repeats the transmission using transmitterwaveguide 1310 as a guided wave along wire 1304. In other embodiments,repeater device 1306 can switch from the wire 1304 to the wire 1302, orcan repeat the transmissions along the same paths. Repeater device 1306can include sensors, or be in communication with sensors (or a networkmanagement system 1601 depicted in FIG. 16A) that indicate conditionsthat can affect the transmission. Based on the feedback received fromthe sensors, the repeater device 1306 can make the determination aboutwhether to keep the transmission along the same wire, or transfer thetransmission to the other wire.

Turning now to FIG. 14, illustrated is a block diagram 1400 illustratingan example, non-limiting embodiment of a bidirectional repeater system.In particular, a bidirectional repeater system is presented for use in atransmission device, such as transmission device 101 or 102 presented inconjunction with FIG. 1. The bidirectional repeater system includeswaveguide coupling devices 1402 and 1404 that receive and transmittransmissions from other coupling devices located in a distributedantenna system or backhaul system.

In various embodiments, waveguide coupling device 1402 can receive atransmission from another waveguide coupling device, wherein thetransmission has a plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer 1406 can separatethe transmission from other transmissions, and direct the transmissionto low-noise amplifier (“LNA”) 1408. A frequency mixer 1428, with helpfrom a local oscillator 1412, can downshift the transmission (which isin the millimeter-wave band or around 38 GHz in some embodiments) to alower frequency, such as a cellular band (˜1.9 GHz) for a distributedantenna system, a native frequency, or other frequency for a backhaulsystem. An extractor (or demultiplexer) 1432 can extract the signal on asubcarrier and direct the signal to an output component 1422 foroptional amplification, buffering or isolation by power amplifier 1424for coupling to communications interface 205. The communicationsinterface 205 can further process the signals received from the poweramplifier 1424 or otherwise transmit such signals over a wireless orwired interface to other devices such as a base station, mobile devices,a building, etc. For the signals that are not being extracted at thislocation, extractor 1432 can redirect them to another frequency mixer1436, where the signals are used to modulate a carrier wave generated bylocal oscillator 1414. The carrier wave, with its subcarriers, isdirected to a power amplifier (“PA”) 1416 and is retransmitted bywaveguide coupling device 1404 to another system, via diplexer 1420.

An LNA 1426 can be used to amplify, buffer or isolate signals that arereceived by the communication interface 205 and then send the signal toa multiplexer 1434 which merges the signal with signals that have beenreceived from waveguide coupling device 1404. The signals received fromcoupling device 1404 have been split by diplexer 1420, and then passedthrough LNA 1418, and downshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 1438.When the signals are combined by multiplexer 1434, they are upshifted infrequency by frequency mixer 1430, and then boosted by PA 1410, andtransmitted to another system by waveguide coupling device 1402. In anembodiment bidirectional repeater system can be merely a repeaterwithout the output device 1422. In this embodiment, the multiplexer 1434would not be utilized and signals from LNA 1418 would be directed tomixer 1430 as previously described. It will be appreciated that in someembodiments, the bidirectional repeater system could also be implementedusing two distinct and separate unidirectional repeaters. In analternative embodiment, a bidirectional repeater system could also be abooster or otherwise perform retransmissions without downshifting andupshifting. Indeed in example embodiment, the retransmissions can bebased upon receiving a signal or guided wave and performing some signalor guided wave processing or reshaping, filtering, and/or amplification,prior to retransmission of the signal or guided wave.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a block diagram 1500 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a guided wave communications system is shown.This diagram depicts an exemplary environment in which a guided wavecommunication system, such as the guided wave communication systempresented in conjunction with FIG. 1, can be used.

To provide network connectivity to additional base station devices, abackhaul network that links the communication cells (e.g., microcellsand macrocells) to network devices of a core network correspondinglyexpands. Similarly, to provide network connectivity to a distributedantenna system, an extended communication system that links base stationdevices and their distributed antennas is desirable. A guided wavecommunication system 1500 such as shown in FIG. 15 can be provided toenable alternative, increased or additional network connectivity and awaveguide coupling system can be provided to transmit and/or receiveguided wave (e.g., surface wave) communications on a transmission mediumsuch as a wire that operates as a single-wire transmission line (e.g., autility line), and that can be used as a waveguide and/or that otherwiseoperates to guide the transmission of an electromagnetic wave.

The guided wave communication system 1500 can comprise a first instanceof a distribution system 1550 that includes one or more base stationdevices (e.g., base station device 1504) that are communicably coupledto a central office 1501 and/or a macrocell site 1502. Base stationdevice 1504 can be connected by a wired (e.g., fiber and/or cable), orby a wireless (e.g., microwave wireless) connection to the macrocellsite 1502 and the central office 1501. A second instance of thedistribution system 1560 can be used to provide wireless voice and dataservices to mobile device 1522 and to residential and/or commercialestablishments 1542 (herein referred to as establishments 1542). System1500 can have additional instances of the distribution systems 1550 and1560 for providing voice and/or data services to mobile devices1522-1524 and establishments 1542 as shown in FIG. 15.

Macrocells such as macrocell site 1502 can have dedicated connections toa mobile network and base station device 1504 or can share and/orotherwise use another connection. Central office 1501 can be used todistribute media content and/or provide internet service provider (ISP)services to mobile devices 1522-1524 and establishments 1542. Thecentral office 1501 can receive media content from a constellation ofsatellites 1530 (one of which is shown in FIG. 15) or other sources ofcontent, and distribute such content to mobile devices 1522-1524 andestablishments 1542 via the first and second instances of thedistribution system 1550 and 1560. The central office 1501 can also becommunicatively coupled to the Internet 1503 for providing internet dataservices to mobile devices 1522-1524 and establishments 1542.

Base station device 1504 can be mounted on, or attached to, utility pole1516. In other embodiments, base station device 1504 can be neartransformers and/or other locations situated nearby a power line. Basestation device 1504 can facilitate connectivity to a mobile network formobile devices 1522 and 1524. Antennas 1512 and 1514, mounted on or nearutility poles 1518 and 1520, respectively, can receive signals from basestation device 1504 and transmit those signals to mobile devices 1522and 1524 over a much wider area than if the antennas 1512 and 1514 werelocated at or near base station device 1504.

It is noted that FIG. 15 displays three utility poles, in each instanceof the distribution systems 1550 and 1560, with one base station device,for purposes of simplicity. In other embodiments, utility pole 1516 canhave more base station devices, and more utility poles with distributedantennas and/or tethered connections to establishments 1542.

A transmission device 1506, such as transmission device 101 or 102presented in conjunction with FIG. 1, can transmit a signal from basestation device 1504 to antennas 1512 and 1514 via utility or powerline(s) that connect the utility poles 1516, 1518, and 1520. To transmitthe signal, radio source and/or transmission device 1506 upconverts thesignal (e.g., via frequency mixing) from base station device 1504 orotherwise converts the signal from the base station device 1504 to amicrowave band signal and the transmission device 1506 launches amicrowave band wave that propagates as a guided wave traveling along theutility line or other wire as described in previous embodiments. Atutility pole 1518, another transmission device 1508 receives the guidedwave (and optionally can amplify it as needed or desired or operate as arepeater to receive it and regenerate it) and sends it forward as aguided wave on the utility line or other wire. The transmission device1508 can also extract a signal from the microwave band guided wave andshift it down in frequency or otherwise convert it to its originalcellular band frequency (e.g., 1.9 GHz or other defined cellularfrequency) or another cellular (or non-cellular) band frequency. Anantenna 1512 can wireless transmit the downshifted signal to mobiledevice 1522. The process can be repeated by transmission device 1510,antenna 1514 and mobile device 1524, as necessary or desirable.

Transmissions from mobile devices 1522 and 1524 can also be received byantennas 1512 and 1514 respectively. The transmission devices 1508 and1510 can upshift or otherwise convert the cellular band signals tomicrowave band and transmit the signals as guided wave (e.g., surfacewave or other electromagnetic wave) transmissions over the power line(s)to base station device 1504.

Media content received by the central office 1501 can be supplied to thesecond instance of the distribution system 1560 via the base stationdevice 1504 for distribution to mobile devices 1522 and establishments1542. The transmission device 1510 can be tethered to the establishments1542 by one or more wired connections or a wireless interface. The oneor more wired connections may include without limitation, a power line,a coaxial cable, a fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guided wavetransmission medium or other suitable wired mediums for distribution ofmedia content and/or for providing internet services. In an exampleembodiment, the wired connections from the transmission device 1510 canbe communicatively coupled to one or more very high bit rate digitalsubscriber line (VDSL) modems located at one or more correspondingservice area interfaces (SAIs—not shown) or pedestals, each SAI orpedestal providing services to a portion of the establishments 1542. TheVDSL modems can be used to selectively distribute media content and/orprovide internet services to gateways (not shown) located in theestablishments 1542. The SAIs or pedestals can also be communicativelycoupled to the establishments 1542 over a wired medium such as a powerline, a coaxial cable, a fiber cable, a twisted pair cable, a guidedwave transmission medium or other suitable wired mediums. In otherexample embodiments, the transmission device 1510 can be communicativelycoupled directly to establishments 1542 without intermediate interfacessuch as the SAIs or pedestals.

In another example embodiment, system 1500 can employ diversity paths,where two or more utility lines or other wires are strung between theutility poles 1516, 1518, and 1520 (e.g., for example, two or more wiresbetween poles 1516 and 1520) and redundant transmissions from basestation/macrocell site 1502 are transmitted as guided waves down thesurface of the utility lines or other wires. The utility lines or otherwires can be either insulated or uninsulated, and depending on theenvironmental conditions that cause transmission losses, the couplingdevices can selectively receive signals from the insulated oruninsulated utility lines or other wires. The selection can be based onmeasurements of the signal-to-noise ratio of the wires, or based ondetermined weather/environmental conditions (e.g., moisture detectors,weather forecasts, etc.). The use of diversity paths with system 1500can enable alternate routing capabilities, load balancing, increasedload handling, concurrent bi-directional or synchronous communications,spread spectrum communications, etc.

It is noted that the use of the transmission devices 1506, 1508, and1510 in FIG. 15 are by way of example only, and that in otherembodiments, other uses are possible. For instance, transmission devicescan be used in a backhaul communication system, providing networkconnectivity to base station devices. Transmission devices 1506, 1508,and 1510 can be used in many circumstances where it is desirable totransmit guided wave communications over a wire, whether insulated ornot insulated. Transmission devices 1506, 1508, and 1510 areimprovements over other coupling devices due to no contact or limitedphysical and/or electrical contact with the wires that may carry highvoltages. The transmission device can be located away from the wire(e.g., spaced apart from the wire) and/or located on the wire so long asit is not electrically in contact with the wire, as the dielectric actsas an insulator, allowing for cheap, easy, and/or less complexinstallation. However, as previously noted conducting or non-dielectriccouplers can be employed, for example in configurations where the wirescorrespond to a telephone network, cable television network, broadbanddata service, fiber optic communications system or other networkemploying low voltages or having insulated transmission lines.

It is further noted, that while base station device 1504 and macrocellsite 1502 are illustrated in an embodiment, other network configurationsare likewise possible. For example, devices such as access points orother wireless gateways can be employed in a similar fashion to extendthe reach of other networks such as a wireless local area network, awireless personal area network or other wireless network that operatesin accordance with a communication protocol such as a 802.11 protocol,WIMAX protocol, UltraWideband protocol, Bluetooth protocol, Zigbeeprotocol or other wireless protocol.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A & 16B, block diagrams illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power gridcommunication system are shown. Considering FIG. 16A, a waveguide system1602 is presented for use in a guided wave communications system, suchas the system presented in conjunction with FIG. 15. The waveguidesystem 1602 can comprise sensors 1604, a power management system 1605, atransmission device 101 or 102 that includes at least one communicationinterface 205, transceiver 210 and coupler 220.

The waveguide system 1602 can be coupled to a power line 1610 forfacilitating guided wave communications in accordance with embodimentsdescribed in the subject disclosure. In an example embodiment, thetransmission device 101 or 102 includes coupler 220 for inducingelectromagnetic waves on a surface of the power line 1610 thatlongitudinally propagate along the surface of the power line 1610 asdescribed in the subject disclosure. The transmission device 101 or 102can also serve as a repeater for retransmitting electromagnetic waves onthe same power line 1610 or for routing electromagnetic waves betweenpower lines 1610 as shown in FIGS. 12-13.

The transmission device 101 or 102 includes transceiver 210 configuredto, for example, up-convert a signal operating at an original frequencyrange to electromagnetic waves operating at, exhibiting, or associatedwith a carrier frequency that propagate along a coupler to inducecorresponding guided electromagnetic waves that propagate along asurface of the power line 1610. A carrier frequency can be representedby a center frequency having upper and lower cutoff frequencies thatdefine the bandwidth of the electromagnetic waves. The power line 1610can be a wire (e.g., single stranded or multi-stranded) having aconducting surface or insulated surface. The transceiver 210 can alsoreceive signals from the coupler 220 and down-convert theelectromagnetic waves operating at a carrier frequency to signals attheir original frequency.

Signals received by the communications interface 205 of transmissiondevice 101 or 102 for up-conversion can include without limitationsignals supplied by a central office 1611 over a wired or wirelessinterface of the communications interface 205, a base station 1614 overa wired or wireless interface of the communications interface 205,wireless signals transmitted by mobile devices 1620 to the base station1614 for delivery over the wired or wireless interface of thecommunications interface 205, signals supplied by in-buildingcommunication devices 1618 over the wired or wireless interface of thecommunications interface 205, and/or wireless signals supplied to thecommunications interface 205 by mobile devices 1612 roaming in awireless communication range of the communications interface 205. Inembodiments where the waveguide system 1602 functions as a repeater,such as shown in FIGS. 12-13, the communications interface 205 may ormay not be included in the waveguide system 1602.

The electromagnetic waves propagating along the surface of the powerline 1610 can be modulated and formatted to include packets or frames ofdata that include a data payload and further include networkinginformation (such as header information for identifying one or moredestination waveguide systems 1602). The networking information may beprovided by the waveguide system 1602 or an originating device such asthe central office 1611, the base station 1614, mobile devices 1620, orin-building devices 1618, or a combination thereof. Additionally, themodulated electromagnetic waves can include error correction data formitigating signal disturbances. The networking information and errorcorrection data can be used by a destination waveguide system 1602 fordetecting transmissions directed to it, and for down-converting andprocessing with error correction data transmissions that include voiceand/or data signals directed to recipient communication devicescommunicatively coupled to the destination waveguide system 1602.

Referring now to the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602, thesensors 1604 can comprise one or more of a temperature sensor 1604 a, adisturbance detection sensor 1604 b, a loss of energy sensor 1604 c, anoise sensor 1604 d, a vibration sensor 1604 e, an environmental (e.g.,weather) sensor 1604 f, and/or an image sensor 1604 g. The temperaturesensor 1604 a can be used to measure ambient temperature, a temperatureof the transmission device 101 or 102, a temperature of the power line1610, temperature differentials (e.g., compared to a setpoint orbaseline, between transmission device 101 or 102 and 1610, etc.), or anycombination thereof. In one embodiment, temperature metrics can becollected and reported periodically to a network management system 1601by way of the base station 1614.

The disturbance detection sensor 1604 b can perform measurements on thepower line 1610 to detect disturbances such as signal reflections, whichmay indicate a presence of a downstream disturbance that may impede thepropagation of electromagnetic waves on the power line 1610. A signalreflection can represent a distortion resulting from, for example, anelectromagnetic wave transmitted on the power line 1610 by thetransmission device 101 or 102 that reflects in whole or in part back tothe transmission device 101 or 102 from a disturbance in the power line1610 located downstream from the transmission device 101 or 102.

Signal reflections can be caused by obstructions on the power line 1610.For example, a tree limb may cause electromagnetic wave reflections whenthe tree limb is lying on the power line 1610, or is in close proximityto the power line 1610 which may cause a corona discharge. Otherobstructions that can cause electromagnetic wave reflections can includewithout limitation an object that has been entangled on the power line1610 (e.g., clothing, a shoe wrapped around a power line 1610 with ashoe string, etc.), a corroded build-up on the power line 1610 or an icebuild-up. Power grid components may also impede or obstruct with thepropagation of electromagnetic waves on the surface of power lines 1610.Illustrations of power grid components that may cause signal reflectionsinclude without limitation a transformer and a joint for connectingspliced power lines. A sharp angle on the power line 1610 may also causeelectromagnetic wave reflections.

The disturbance detection sensor 1604 b can comprise a circuit tocompare magnitudes of electromagnetic wave reflections to magnitudes oforiginal electromagnetic waves transmitted by the transmission device101 or 102 to determine how much a downstream disturbance in the powerline 1610 attenuates transmissions. The disturbance detection sensor1604 b can further comprise a spectral analyzer circuit for performingspectral analysis on the reflected waves. The spectral data generated bythe spectral analyzer circuit can be compared with spectral profiles viapattern recognition, an expert system, curve fitting, matched filteringor other artificial intelligence, classification or comparison techniqueto identify a type of disturbance based on, for example, the spectralprofile that most closely matches the spectral data. The spectralprofiles can be stored in a memory of the disturbance detection sensor1604 b or may be remotely accessible by the disturbance detection sensor1604 b. The profiles can comprise spectral data that models differentdisturbances that may be encountered on power lines 1610 to enable thedisturbance detection sensor 1604 b to identify disturbances locally. Anidentification of the disturbance if known can be reported to thenetwork management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614. Thedisturbance detection sensor 1604 b can also utilize the transmissiondevice 101 or 102 to transmit electromagnetic waves as test signals todetermine a roundtrip time for an electromagnetic wave reflection. Theround trip time measured by the disturbance detection sensor 1604 b canbe used to calculate a distance traveled by the electromagnetic wave upto a point where the reflection takes place, which enables thedisturbance detection sensor 1604 b to calculate a distance from thetransmission device 101 or 102 to the downstream disturbance on thepower line 1610.

The distance calculated can be reported to the network management system1601 by way of the base station 1614. In one embodiment, the location ofthe waveguide system 1602 on the power line 1610 may be known to thenetwork management system 1601, which the network management system 1601can use to determine a location of the disturbance on the power line1610 based on a known topology of the power grid. In another embodiment,the waveguide system 1602 can provide its location to the networkmanagement system 1601 to assist in the determination of the location ofthe disturbance on the power line 1610. The location of the waveguidesystem 1602 can be obtained by the waveguide system 1602 from apre-programmed location of the waveguide system 1602 stored in a memoryof the waveguide system 1602, or the waveguide system 1602 can determineits location using a GPS receiver (not shown) included in the waveguidesystem 1602.

The power management system 1605 provides energy to the aforementionedcomponents of the waveguide system 1602. The power management system1605 can receive energy from solar cells, or from a transformer (notshown) coupled to the power line 1610, or by inductive coupling to thepower line 1610 or another nearby power line. The power managementsystem 1605 can also include a backup battery and/or a super capacitoror other capacitor circuit for providing the waveguide system 1602 withtemporary power. The loss of energy sensor 1604 c can be used to detectwhen the waveguide system 1602 has a loss of power condition and/or theoccurrence of some other malfunction. For example, the loss of energysensor 1604 c can detect when there is a loss of power due to defectivesolar cells, an obstruction on the solar cells that causes them tomalfunction, loss of power on the power line 1610, and/or when thebackup power system malfunctions due to expiration of a backup battery,or a detectable defect in a super capacitor. When a malfunction and/orloss of power occurs, the loss of energy sensor 1604 c can notify thenetwork management system 1601 by way of the base station 1614.

The noise sensor 1604 d can be used to measure noise on the power line1610 that may adversely affect transmission of electromagnetic waves onthe power line 1610. The noise sensor 1604 d can sense unexpectedelectromagnetic interference, noise bursts, or other sources ofdisturbances that may interrupt reception of modulated electromagneticwaves on a surface of a power line 1610. A noise burst can be caused by,for example, a corona discharge, or other source of noise. The noisesensor 1604 d can compare the measured noise to a noise profile obtainedby the waveguide system 1602 from an internal database of noise profilesor from a remotely located database that stores noise profiles viapattern recognition, an expert system, curve fitting, matched filteringor other artificial intelligence, classification or comparisontechnique. From the comparison, the noise sensor 1604 d may identify anoise source (e.g., corona discharge or otherwise) based on, forexample, the noise profile that provides the closest match to themeasured noise. The noise sensor 1604 d can also detect how noiseaffects transmissions by measuring transmission metrics such as biterror rate, packet loss rate, jitter, packet retransmission requests,etc. The noise sensor 1604 d can report to the network management system1601 by way of the base station 1614 the identity of noise sources,their time of occurrence, and transmission metrics, among other things.

The vibration sensor 1604 e can include accelerometers and/or gyroscopesto detect 2D or 3D vibrations on the power line 1610. The vibrations canbe compared to vibration profiles that can be stored locally in thewaveguide system 1602, or obtained by the waveguide system 1602 from aremote database via pattern recognition, an expert system, curvefitting, matched filtering or other artificial intelligence,classification or comparison technique. Vibration profiles can be used,for example, to distinguish fallen trees from wind gusts based on, forexample, the vibration profile that provides the closest match to themeasured vibrations. The results of this analysis can be reported by thevibration sensor 1604 e to the network management system 1601 by way ofthe base station 1614.

The environmental sensor 1604 f can include a barometer for measuringatmospheric pressure, ambient temperature (which can be provided by thetemperature sensor 1604 a), wind speed, humidity, wind direction, andrainfall, among other things. The environmental sensor 1604 f cancollect raw information and process this information by comparing it toenvironmental profiles that can be obtained from a memory of thewaveguide system 1602 or a remote database to predict weather conditionsbefore they arise via pattern recognition, an expert system,knowledge-based system or other artificial intelligence, classificationor other weather modeling and prediction technique. The environmentalsensor 1604 f can report raw data as well as its analysis to the networkmanagement system 1601.

The image sensor 1604 g can be a digital camera (e.g., a charged coupleddevice or CCD imager, infrared camera, etc.) for capturing images in avicinity of the waveguide system 1602. The image sensor 1604 g caninclude an electromechanical mechanism to control movement (e.g., actualposition or focal points/zooms) of the camera for inspecting the powerline 1610 from multiple perspectives (e.g., top surface, bottom surface,left surface, right surface and so on). Alternatively, the image sensor1604 g can be designed such that no electromechanical mechanism isneeded in order to obtain the multiple perspectives. The collection andretrieval of imaging data generated by the image sensor 1604 g can becontrolled by the network management system 1601, or can be autonomouslycollected and reported by the image sensor 1604 g to the networkmanagement system 1601.

Other sensors that may be suitable for collecting telemetry informationassociated with the waveguide system 1602 and/or the power lines 1610for purposes of detecting, predicting and/or mitigating disturbancesthat can impede the propagation of electromagnetic wave transmissions onpower lines 1610 (or any other form of a transmission medium ofelectromagnetic waves) may be utilized by the waveguide system 1602.

Referring now to FIG. 16B, block diagram 1650 illustrates an example,non-limiting embodiment of a system for managing a power grid 1653 and acommunication system 1655 embedded therein or associated therewith inaccordance with various aspects described herein. The communicationsystem 1655 comprises a plurality of waveguide systems 1602 coupled topower lines 1610 of the power grid 1653. At least a portion of thewaveguide systems 1602 used in the communication system 1655 can be indirect communication with a base station 1614 and/or the networkmanagement system 1601. Waveguide systems 1602 not directly connected toa base station 1614 or the network management system 1601 can engage incommunication sessions with either a base station 1614 or the networkmanagement system 1601 by way of other downstream waveguide systems 1602connected to a base station 1614 or the network management system 1601.

The network management system 1601 can be communicatively coupled toequipment of a utility company 1652 and equipment of a communicationsservice provider 1654 for providing each entity, status informationassociated with the power grid 1653 and the communication system 1655,respectively. The network management system 1601, the equipment of theutility company 1652, and the communications service provider 1654 canaccess communication devices utilized by utility company personnel 1656and/or communication devices utilized by communications service providerpersonnel 1658 for purposes of providing status information and/or fordirecting such personnel in the management of the power grid 1653 and/orcommunication system 1655.

FIG. 17A illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method 1700 for detecting and mitigating disturbancesoccurring in a communication network of the systems of FIGS. 16A & 16B.Method 1700 can begin with step 1702 where a waveguide system 1602transmits and receives messages embedded in, or forming part of,modulated electromagnetic waves or another type of electromagnetic wavestraveling along a surface of a power line 1610. The messages can bevoice messages, streaming video, and/or other data/information exchangedbetween communication devices communicatively coupled to thecommunication system 1655. At step 1704 the sensors 1604 of thewaveguide system 1602 can collect sensing data. In an embodiment, thesensing data can be collected in step 1704 prior to, during, or afterthe transmission and/or receipt of messages in step 1702. At step 1706the waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604 themselves) can determinefrom the sensing data an actual or predicted occurrence of a disturbancein the communication system 1655 that can affect communicationsoriginating from (e.g., transmitted by) or received by the waveguidesystem 1602. The waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604) can processtemperature data, signal reflection data, loss of energy data, noisedata, vibration data, environmental data, or any combination thereof tomake this determination. The waveguide system 1602 (or the sensors 1604)may also detect, identify, estimate, or predict the source of thedisturbance and/or its location in the communication system 1655. If adisturbance is neither detected/identified nor predicted/estimated atstep 1708, the waveguide system 1602 can proceed to step 1702 where itcontinues to transmit and receive messages embedded in, or forming partof, modulated electromagnetic waves traveling along a surface of thepower line 1610.

If at step 1708 a disturbance is detected/identified orpredicted/estimated to occur, the waveguide system 1602 proceeds to step1710 to determine if the disturbance adversely affects (oralternatively, is likely to adversely affect or the extent to which itmay adversely affect) transmission or reception of messages in thecommunication system 1655. In one embodiment, a duration threshold and afrequency of occurrence threshold can be used at step 1710 to determinewhen a disturbance adversely affects communications in the communicationsystem 1655. For illustration purposes only, assume a duration thresholdis set to 500 ms, while a frequency of occurrence threshold is set to 5disturbances occurring in an observation period of 10 sec. Thus, adisturbance having a duration greater than 500 ms will trigger theduration threshold. Additionally, any disturbance occurring more than 5times in a 10 sec time interval will trigger the frequency of occurrencethreshold.

In one embodiment, a disturbance may be considered to adversely affectsignal integrity in the communication systems 1655 when the durationthreshold alone is exceeded. In another embodiment, a disturbance may beconsidered as adversely affecting signal integrity in the communicationsystems 1655 when both the duration threshold and the frequency ofoccurrence threshold are exceeded. The latter embodiment is thus moreconservative than the former embodiment for classifying disturbancesthat adversely affect signal integrity in the communication system 1655.It will be appreciated that many other algorithms and associatedparameters and thresholds can be utilized for step 1710 in accordancewith example embodiments.

Referring back to method 1700, if at step 1710 the disturbance detectedat step 1708 does not meet the condition for adversely affectedcommunications (e.g., neither exceeds the duration threshold nor thefrequency of occurrence threshold), the waveguide system 1602 mayproceed to step 1702 and continue processing messages. For instance, ifthe disturbance detected in step 1708 has a duration of 1 msec with asingle occurrence in a 10 sec time period, then neither threshold willbe exceeded. Consequently, such a disturbance may be considered ashaving a nominal effect on signal integrity in the communication system1655 and thus would not be flagged as a disturbance requiringmitigation. Although not flagged, the occurrence of the disturbance, itstime of occurrence, its frequency of occurrence, spectral data, and/orother useful information, may be reported to the network managementsystem 1601 as telemetry data for monitoring purposes.

Referring back to step 1710, if on the other hand the disturbancesatisfies the condition for adversely affected communications (e.g.,exceeds either or both thresholds), the waveguide system 1602 canproceed to step 1712 and report the incident to the network managementsystem 1601. The report can include raw sensing data collected by thesensors 1604, a description of the disturbance if known by the waveguidesystem 1602, a time of occurrence of the disturbance, a frequency ofoccurrence of the disturbance, a location associated with thedisturbance, parameters readings such as bit error rate, packet lossrate, retransmission requests, jitter, latency and so on. If thedisturbance is based on a prediction by one or more sensors of thewaveguide system 1602, the report can include a type of disturbanceexpected, and if predictable, an expected time occurrence of thedisturbance, and an expected frequency of occurrence of the predicteddisturbance when the prediction is based on historical sensing datacollected by the sensors 1604 of the waveguide system 1602.

At step 1714, the network management system 1601 can determine amitigation, circumvention, or correction technique, which may includedirecting the waveguide system 1602 to reroute traffic to circumvent thedisturbance if the location of the disturbance can be determined. In oneembodiment, the waveguide coupling device 1402 detecting the disturbancemay direct a repeater such as the one shown in FIGS. 13-14 to connectthe waveguide system 1602 from a primary power line affected by thedisturbance to a secondary power line to enable the waveguide system1602 to reroute traffic to a different transmission medium and avoid thedisturbance. In an embodiment where the waveguide system 1602 isconfigured as a repeater the waveguide system 1602 can itself performthe rerouting of traffic from the primary power line to the secondarypower line. It is further noted that for bidirectional communications(e.g., full or half-duplex communications), the repeater can beconfigured to reroute traffic from the secondary power line back to theprimary power line for processing by the waveguide system 1602.

In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can redirect traffic byinstructing a first repeater situated upstream of the disturbance and asecond repeater situated downstream of the disturbance to redirecttraffic from a primary power line temporarily to a secondary power lineand back to the primary power line in a manner that avoids thedisturbance. It is further noted that for bidirectional communications(e.g., full or half-duplex communications), repeaters can be configuredto reroute traffic from the secondary power line back to the primarypower line.

To avoid interrupting existing communication sessions occurring on asecondary power line, the network management system 1601 may direct thewaveguide system 1602 to instruct repeater(s) to utilize unused timeslot(s) and/or frequency band(s) of the secondary power line forredirecting data and/or voice traffic away from the primary power lineto circumvent the disturbance.

At step 1716, while traffic is being rerouted to avoid the disturbance,the network management system 1601 can notify equipment of the utilitycompany 1652 and/or equipment of the communications service provider1654, which in turn may notify personnel of the utility company 1656and/or personnel of the communications service provider 1658 of thedetected disturbance and its location if known. Field personnel fromeither party can attend to resolving the disturbance at a determinedlocation of the disturbance. Once the disturbance is removed orotherwise mitigated by personnel of the utility company and/or personnelof the communications service provider, such personnel can notify theirrespective companies and/or the network management system 1601 utilizingfield equipment (e.g., a laptop computer, smartphone, etc.)communicatively coupled to network management system 1601, and/orequipment of the utility company and/or the communications serviceprovider. The notification can include a description of how thedisturbance was mitigated and any changes to the power lines 1610 thatmay change a topology of the communication system 1655.

Once the disturbance has been resolved (as determined in decision 1718),the network management system 1601 can direct the waveguide system 1602at step 1720 to restore the previous routing configuration used by thewaveguide system 1602 or route traffic according to a new routingconfiguration if the restoration strategy used to mitigate thedisturbance resulted in a new network topology of the communicationsystem 1655. In another embodiment, the waveguide system 1602 can beconfigured to monitor mitigation of the disturbance by transmitting testsignals on the power line 1610 to determine when the disturbance hasbeen removed. Once the waveguide system 1602 detects an absence of thedisturbance it can autonomously restore its routing configurationwithout assistance by the network management system 1601 if itdetermines the network topology of the communication system 1655 has notchanged, or it can utilize a new routing configuration that adapts to adetected new network topology.

FIG. 17B illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limitingembodiment of a method 1750 for detecting and mitigating disturbancesoccurring in a communication network of the system of FIGS. 16A and 16B.In one embodiment, method 1750 can begin with step 1752 where a networkmanagement system 1601 receives from equipment of the utility company1652 or equipment of the communications service provider 1654maintenance information associated with a maintenance schedule. Thenetwork management system 1601 can at step 1754 identify from themaintenance information, maintenance activities to be performed duringthe maintenance schedule. From these activities, the network managementsystem 1601 can detect a disturbance resulting from the maintenance(e.g., scheduled replacement of a power line 1610, scheduled replacementof a waveguide system 1602 on the power line 1610, scheduledreconfiguration of power lines 1610 in the power grid 1653, etc.).

In another embodiment, the network management system 1601 can receive atstep 1755 telemetry information from one or more waveguide systems 1602.The telemetry information can include among other things an identity ofeach waveguide system 1602 submitting the telemetry information,measurements taken by sensors 1604 of each waveguide system 1602,information relating to predicted, estimated, or actual disturbancesdetected by the sensors 1604 of each waveguide system 1602, locationinformation associated with each waveguide system 1602, an estimatedlocation of a detected disturbance, an identification of thedisturbance, and so on. The network management system 1601 can determinefrom the telemetry information a type of disturbance that may be adverseto operations of the waveguide, transmission of the electromagneticwaves along the wire surface, or both. The network management system1601 can also use telemetry information from multiple waveguide systems1602 to isolate and identify the disturbance. Additionally, the networkmanagement system 1601 can request telemetry information from waveguidesystems 1602 in a vicinity of an affected waveguide system 1602 totriangulate a location of the disturbance and/or validate anidentification of the disturbance by receiving similar telemetryinformation from other waveguide systems 1602.

In yet another embodiment, the network management system 1601 canreceive at step 1756 an unscheduled activity report from maintenancefield personnel. Unscheduled maintenance may occur as result of fieldcalls that are unplanned or as a result of unexpected field issuesdiscovered during field calls or scheduled maintenance activities. Theactivity report can identify changes to a topology configuration of thepower grid 1653 resulting from field personnel addressing discoveredissues in the communication system 1655 and/or power grid 1653, changesto one or more waveguide systems 1602 (such as replacement or repairthereof), mitigation of disturbances performed if any, and so on.

At step 1758, the network management system 1601 can determine fromreports received according to steps 1752 through 1756 if a disturbancewill occur based on a maintenance schedule, or if a disturbance hasoccurred or is predicted to occur based on telemetry data, or if adisturbance has occurred due to an unplanned maintenance identified in afield activity report. From any of these reports, the network managementsystem 1601 can determine whether a detected or predicted disturbancerequires rerouting of traffic by the affected waveguide systems 1602 orother waveguide systems 1602 of the communication system 1655.

When a disturbance is detected or predicted at step 1758, the networkmanagement system 1601 can proceed to step 1760 where it can direct oneor more waveguide systems 1602 to reroute traffic to circumvent thedisturbance. When the disturbance is permanent due to a permanenttopology change of the power grid 1653, the network management system1601 can proceed to step 1770 and skip steps 1762, 1764, 1766, and 1772.At step 1770, the network management system 1601 can direct one or morewaveguide systems 1602 to use anew routing configuration that adapts tothe new topology. However, when the disturbance has been detected fromtelemetry information supplied by one or more waveguide systems 1602,the network management system 1601 can notify maintenance personnel ofthe utility company 1656 or the communications service provider 1658 ofa location of the disturbance, a type of disturbance if known, andrelated information that may be helpful to such personnel to mitigatethe disturbance. When a disturbance is expected due to maintenanceactivities, the network management system 1601 can direct one or morewaveguide systems 1602 to reconfigure traffic routes at a given schedule(consistent with the maintenance schedule) to avoid disturbances causedby the maintenance activities during the maintenance schedule.

Returning back to step 1760 and upon its completion, the process cancontinue with step 1762. At step 1762, the network management system1601 can monitor when the disturbance(s) have been mitigated by fieldpersonnel. Mitigation of a disturbance can be detected at step 1762 byanalyzing field reports submitted to the network management system 1601by field personnel over a communications network (e.g., cellularcommunication system) utilizing field equipment (e.g., a laptop computeror handheld computer/device). If field personnel have reported that adisturbance has been mitigated, the network management system 1601 canproceed to step 1764 to determine from the field report whether atopology change was required to mitigate the disturbance. A topologychange can include rerouting a power line 1610, reconfiguring awaveguide system 1602 to utilize a different power line 1610, otherwiseutilizing an alternative link to bypass the disturbance and so on. If atopology change has taken place, the network management system 1601 candirect at step 1770 one or more waveguide systems 1602 to use a newrouting configuration that adapts to the new topology.

If, however, a topology change has not been reported by field personnel,the network management system 1601 can proceed to step 1766 where it candirect one or more waveguide systems 1602 to send test signals to test arouting configuration that had been used prior to the detecteddisturbance(s). Test signals can be sent to affected waveguide systems1602 in a vicinity of the disturbance. The test signals can be used todetermine if signal disturbances (e.g., electromagnetic wavereflections) are detected by any of the waveguide systems 1602. If thetest signals confirm that a prior routing configuration is no longersubject to previously detected disturbance(s), then the networkmanagement system 1601 can at step 1772 direct the affected waveguidesystems 1602 to restore a previous routing configuration. If, however,test signals analyzed by one or more waveguide coupling device 1402 andreported to the network management system 1601 indicate that thedisturbance(s) or new disturbance(s) are present, then the networkmanagement system 1601 will proceed to step 1768 and report thisinformation to field personnel to further address field issues. Thenetwork management system 1601 can in this situation continue to monitormitigation of the disturbance(s) at step 1762.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the waveguide systems 1602 can beconfigured to be self-adapting to changes in the power grid 1653 and/orto mitigation of disturbances. That is, one or more affected waveguidesystems 1602 can be configured to self-monitor mitigation ofdisturbances and reconfigure traffic routes without requiringinstructions to be sent to them by the network management system 1601.In this embodiment, the one or more waveguide systems 1602 that areself-configurable can inform the network management system 1601 of itsrouting choices so that the network management system 1601 can maintaina macro-level view of the communication topology of the communicationsystem 1655.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIGS. 17A and17B, respectively, it is to be understood and appreciated that theclaimed subject matter is not limited by the order of the blocks, assome blocks may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with otherblocks from what is depicted and described herein. Moreover, not allillustrated blocks may be required to implement the methods describedherein.

Turning now to FIG. 18A, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a communication system 1800 in accordancewith various aspects of the subject disclosure is shown. Thecommunication system 1800 can include a macro base station 1802 such asa base station or access point having antennas that covers one or moresectors (e.g., 6 or more sectors). The macro base station 1802 can becommunicatively coupled to a communication node 1804A that serves as amaster or distribution node for other communication nodes 1804B-Edistributed at differing geographic locations inside or beyond acoverage area of the macro base station 1802. The communication nodes1804 operate as a distributed antenna system configured to handlecommunications traffic associated with client devices such as mobiledevices (e.g., cell phones) and/or fixed/stationary devices (e.g., acommunication device in a residence, or commercial establishment) thatare wirelessly coupled to any of the communication nodes 1804. Inparticular, the wireless resources of the macro base station 1802 can bemade available to mobile devices by allowing and/or redirecting certainmobile and/or stationary devices to utilize the wireless resources of acommunication node 1804 in a communication range of the mobile orstationary devices.

The communication nodes 1804A-E can be communicatively coupled to eachother over an interface 1810. In one embodiment, the interface 1810 cancomprise a wired or tethered interface (e.g., fiber optic cable). Inother embodiments, the interface 1810 can comprise a wireless RFinterface forming a radio distributed antenna system. In variousembodiments, the communication nodes 1804A-E can be configured toprovide communication services to mobile and stationary devicesaccording to instructions provided by the macro base station 1802. Inother examples of operation however, the communication nodes 1804A-Eoperate merely as analog repeaters to spread the coverage of the macrobase station 1802 throughout the entire range of the individualcommunication nodes 1804A-E.

The micro base stations (depicted as communication nodes 1804) candiffer from the macro base station in several ways. For example, thecommunication range of the micro base stations can be smaller than thecommunication range of the macro base station. Consequently, the powerconsumed by the micro base stations can be less than the power consumedby the macro base station. The macro base station optionally directs themicro base stations as to which mobile and/or stationary devices theyare to communicate with, and which carrier frequency, spectralsegment(s) and/or timeslot schedule of such spectral segment(s) are tobe used by the micro base stations when communicating with certainmobile or stationary devices. In these cases, control of the micro basestations by the macro base station can be performed in a master-slaveconfiguration or other suitable control configurations. Whetheroperating independently or under the control of the macro base station1802, the resources of the micro base stations can be simpler and lesscostly than the resources utilized by the macro base station 1802.

Turning now to FIG. 18B, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of the communication nodes 1804B-E of thecommunication system 1800 of FIG. 18A is shown. In this illustration,the communication nodes 1804B-E are placed on a utility fixture such asa light post. In other embodiments, some of the communication nodes1804B-E can be placed on a building or a utility post or pole that isused for distributing power and/or communication lines. Thecommunication nodes 1804B-E in these illustrations can be configured tocommunicate with each other over the interface 1810, which in thisillustration is shown as a wireless interface. The communication nodes1804B-E can also be configured to communicate with mobile or stationarydevices 1806A-C over a wireless interface 1811 that conforms to one ormore communication protocols (e.g., fourth generation (4G) wirelesssignals such as LTE signals or other 4G signals, fifth generation (5G)wireless signals, WiMAX, 802.11 signals, ultra-wideband signals, etc.).The communication nodes 1804 can be configured to exchange signals overthe interface 1810 at an operating frequency that may be higher (e.g.,28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 80 GHz or higher) than the operating frequencyused for communicating with the mobile or stationary devices (e.g., 1.9GHz) over interface 1811. The high carrier frequency and a widerbandwidth can be used for communicating between the communication nodes1804 enabling the communication nodes 1804 to provide communicationservices to multiple mobile or stationary devices via one or morediffering frequency bands, (e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHzband, and/or a 5.8 GHz band, etc.) and/or one or more differingprotocols, as will be illustrated by spectral downlink and uplinkdiagrams of FIG. 19A described below. In other embodiments, particularlywhere the interface 1810 is implemented via a guided wave communicationssystem on a wire, a wideband spectrum in a lower frequency range (e.g.in the range of 2-6 GHz, 4-10 GHz, etc.) can be employed.

Turning now to FIGS. 18C-18D, block diagrams illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of a communication node 1804 of thecommunication system 1800 of FIG. 18A is shown. The communication node1804 can be attached to a support structure 1818 of a utility fixturesuch as a utility post or pole as shown in FIG. 18C. The communicationnode 1804 can be affixed to the support structure 1818 with an arm 1820constructed of plastic or other suitable material that attaches to anend of the communication node 1804. The communication node 1804 canfurther include a plastic housing assembly 1816 that covers componentsof the communication node 1804. The communication node 1804 can bepowered by a power line 1821 (e.g., 110/220 VAC). The power line 1821can originate from a light pole or can be coupled to a power line of autility pole.

In an embodiment where the communication nodes 1804 communicatewirelessly with other communication nodes 1804 as shown in FIG. 18B, atop side 1812 of the communication node 1804 (illustrated also in FIG.18D) can comprise a plurality of antennas 1822 (e.g., 16 dielectricantennas devoid of metal surfaces) coupled to one or more transceiverssuch as, for example, in whole or in part, the transceiver 1400illustrated in FIG. 14. Each of the plurality of antennas 1822 of thetop side 1812 can operate as a sector of the communication node 1804,each sector configured for communicating with at least one communicationnode 1804 in a communication range of the sector. Alternatively, or incombination, the interface 1810 between communication nodes 1804 can bea tethered interface (e.g., a fiber optic cable, or a power line usedfor transport of guided electromagnetic waves as previously described).In other embodiments, the interface 1810 can differ betweencommunication nodes 1804. That is, some communications nodes 1804 maycommunicate over a wireless interface, while others communicate over atethered interface. In yet other embodiments, some communications nodes1804 may utilize a combined wireless and tethered interface.

A bottom side 1814 of the communication node 1804 can also comprise aplurality of antennas 1824 for wirelessly communicating with one or moremobile or stationary devices 1806 at a carrier frequency that issuitable for the mobile or stationary devices 1806. As noted earlier,the carrier frequency used by the communication node 1804 forcommunicating with the mobile or station devices over the wirelessinterface 1811 shown in FIG. 18B can be different from the carrierfrequency used for communicating between the communication nodes 1804over interface 1810. The plurality of antennas 1824 of the bottomportion 1814 of the communication node 1804 can also utilize atransceiver such as, for example, in whole or in part, the transceiver1400 illustrated in FIG. 14.

Turning now to FIG. 19A, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of downlink and uplink communication techniquesfor enabling a base station to communicate with the communication nodes1804 of FIG. 18A is shown. In the illustrations of FIG. 19A, downlinksignals (i.e., signals directed from the macro base station 1802 to thecommunication nodes 1804) can be spectrally divided into controlchannels 1902, downlink spectral segments 1906 each including modulatedsignals which can be frequency converted to their original/nativefrequency band for enabling the communication nodes 1804 to communicatewith one or more mobile or stationary devices 1906, and pilot signals1904 which can be supplied with some or all of the spectral segments1906 for mitigating distortion created between the communication nodes1904. The pilot signals 1904 can be processed by the top side 1816(tethered or wireless) transceivers of downstream communication nodes1804 to remove distortion from a receive signal (e.g., phasedistortion). Each downlink spectral segment 1906 can be allotted abandwidth 1905 sufficiently wide (e.g., 50 MHz) to include acorresponding pilot signal 1904 and one or more downlink modulatedsignals located in frequency channels (or frequency slots) in thespectral segment 1906. The modulated signals can represent cellularchannels, WLAN channels or other modulated communication signals (e.g.,10-20 MHz), which can be used by the communication nodes 1804 forcommunicating with one or more mobile or stationary devices 1806.

Uplink modulated signals generated by mobile or stationary communicationdevices in their native/original frequency bands can be frequencyconverted and thereby located in frequency channels (or frequency slots)in the uplink spectral segment 1910. The uplink modulated signals canrepresent cellular channels, WLAN channels or other modulatedcommunication signals. Each uplink spectral segment 1910 can be allotteda similar or same bandwidth 1905 to include a pilot signal 1908 whichcan be provided with some or each spectral segment 1910 to enableupstream communication nodes 1804 and/or the macro base station 1802 toremove distortion (e.g., phase error).

In the embodiment shown, the downlink and uplink spectral segments 1906and 1910 each comprise a plurality of frequency channels (or frequencyslots), which can be occupied with modulated signals that have beenfrequency converted from any number of native/original frequency bands(e.g. a 900 MHz band, 1.9 GHz band, a 2.4 GHz band, and/or a 5.8 GHzband, etc.). The modulated signals can be up-converted to adjacentfrequency channels in downlink and uplink spectral segments 1906 and1910. In this fashion, while some adjacent frequency channels in adownlink spectral segment 1906 can include modulated signals originallyin a same native/original frequency band, other adjacent frequencychannels in the downlink spectral segment 1906 can also includemodulated signals originally in different native/original frequencybands, but frequency converted to be located in adjacent frequencychannels of the downlink spectral segment 1906. For example, a firstmodulated signal in a 1.9 GHz band and a second modulated signal in thesame frequency band (i.e., 1.9 GHz) can be frequency converted andthereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of a downlink spectralsegment 1906. In another illustration, a first modulated signal in a 1.9GHz band and a second communication signal in a different frequency band(i.e., 2.4 GHz) can be frequency converted and thereby positioned inadjacent frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1906.Accordingly, frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1906 canbe occupied with any combination of modulated signals of the same ordiffering signaling protocols and of a same or differing native/originalfrequency bands.

Similarly, while some adjacent frequency channels in an uplink spectralsegment 1910 can include modulated signals originally in a samefrequency band, adjacent frequency channels in the uplink spectralsegment 1910 can also include modulated signals originally in differentnative/original frequency bands, but frequency converted to be locatedin adjacent frequency channels of an uplink segment 1910. For example, afirst communication signal in a 2.4 GHz band and a second communicationsignal in the same frequency band (i.e., 2.4 GHz) can be frequencyconverted and thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of anuplink spectral segment 1910. In another illustration, a firstcommunication signal in a 1.9 GHz band and a second communication signalin a different frequency band (i.e., 2.4 GHz) can be frequency convertedand thereby positioned in adjacent frequency channels of the uplinkspectral segment 1906. Accordingly, frequency channels of an uplinkspectral segment 1910 can be occupied with any combination of modulatedsignals of a same or differing signaling protocols and of a same ordiffering native/original frequency bands. It should be noted that adownlink spectral segment 1906 and an uplink spectral segment 1910 canthemselves be adjacent to one another and separated by only a guard bandor otherwise separated by a larger frequency spacing, depending on thespectral allocation in place.

Turning now to FIG. 19B, a block diagram 1920 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In particular,the communication node device such as communication node 1804A of aradio distributed antenna system includes a base station interface 1922,duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924, and two transceivers 1930 and 1932. Itshould be noted however, that when the communication node 1804A iscollocated with a base station, such as a macro base station 1802, theduplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 and the transceiver 1930 can be omittedand the transceiver 1932 can be directly coupled to the base stationinterface 1922.

In various embodiments, the base station interface 1922 receives a firstmodulated signal having one or more down link channels in a firstspectral segment for transmission to a client device such as one or moremobile communication devices. The first spectral segment represents anoriginal/native frequency band of the first modulated signal. The firstmodulated signal can include one or more downlink communication channelsconforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE or other 4G wirelessprotocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, an ultra-widebandprotocol, a WiMAX protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local areanetwork protocol and/or other communication protocol. Theduplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 transfers the first modulated signal inthe first spectral segment to the transceiver 1930 for directcommunication with one or more mobile communication devices in range ofthe communication node 1804A as a free space wireless signal. In variousembodiments, the transceiver 1930 is implemented via analog circuitrythat merely provides: filtration to pass the spectrum of the downlinkchannels and the uplink channels of modulated signals in theiroriginal/native frequency bands while attenuating out-of-band signals,power amplification, transmit/receive switching, duplexing, diplexing,and impedance matching to drive one or more antennas that sends andreceives the wireless signals of interface 1810.

In other embodiments, the transceiver 1932 is configured to performfrequency conversion of the first modulated signal in the first spectralsegment to the first modulated signal at a first carrier frequency basedon, in various embodiments, an analog signal processing of the firstmodulated signal without modifying the signaling protocol of the firstmodulated signal. The first modulated signal at the first carrierfrequency can occupy one or more frequency channels of a downlinkspectral segment 1906. The first carrier frequency can be in amillimeter-wave or microwave frequency band. As used herein analogsignal processing includes filtering, switching, duplexing, diplexing,amplification, frequency up and down conversion, and other analogprocessing that does not require digital signal processing, such asincluding without limitation either analog to digital conversion,digital to analog conversion, or digital frequency conversion. In otherembodiments, the transceiver 1932 can be configured to perform frequencyconversion of the first modulated signal in the first spectral segmentto the first carrier frequency by applying digital signal processing tothe first modulated signal without utilizing any form of analog signalprocessing and without modifying the signaling protocol of the firstmodulated signal. In yet other embodiments, the transceiver 1932 can beconfigured to perform frequency conversion of the first modulated signalin the first spectral segment to the first carrier frequency by applyinga combination of digital signal processing and analog processing to thefirst modulated signal and without modifying the signaling protocol ofthe first modulated signal.

The transceiver 1932 can be further configured to transmit one or morecontrol channels, one or more corresponding reference signals, such aspilot signals or other reference signals, and/or one or more clocksignals together with the first modulated signal at the first carrierfrequency to a network element of the distributed antenna system, suchas one or more downstream communication nodes 1904B-E, for wirelessdistribution of the first modulated signal to one or more other mobilecommunication devices once frequency converted by the network element tothe first spectral segment. In particular, the reference signal enablesthe network element to reduce a phase error (and/or other forms ofsignal distortion) during processing of the first modulated signal fromthe first carrier frequency to the first spectral segment. The controlchannel can include instructions to direct the communication node of thedistributed antenna system to convert the first modulated signal at thefirst carrier frequency to the first modulated signal in the firstspectral segment, to control frequency selections and reuse patterns,handoff and/or other control signaling. In embodiments where theinstructions transmitted and received via the control channel aredigital signals, the transceiver can 1932 can include a digital signalprocessing component that provides analog to digital conversion, digitalto analog conversion and that processes the digital data sent and/orreceived via the control channel. The clock signals supplied with thedownlink spectral segment 1906 can be utilized to synchronize timing ofdigital control channel processing by the downstream communication nodes1904B-E to recover the instructions from the control channel and/or toprovide other timing signals.

In various embodiments, the transceiver 1932 can receive a secondmodulated signal at a second carrier frequency from a network elementsuch as a communication node 1804B-E. The second modulated signal caninclude one or more uplink frequency channels occupied by one or moremodulated signals conforming to a signaling protocol such as a LTE orother 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communication protocol, anultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless local area networkprotocol and/or other communication protocol. In particular, the mobileor stationary communication device generates the second modulated signalin a second spectral segment such as an original/native frequency bandand the network element frequency converts the second modulated signalin the second spectral segment to the second modulated signal at thesecond carrier frequency and transmits the second modulated signal atthe second carrier frequency as received by the communication node1804A. The transceiver 1932 operates to convert the second modulatedsignal at the second carrier frequency to the second modulated signal inthe second spectral segment and sends the second modulated signal in thesecond spectral segment, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 andbase station interface 1922, to a base station, such as macro basestation 1802, for processing.

Consider the following examples where the communication node 1804A isimplemented in a distributed antenna system. The uplink frequencychannels in an uplink spectral segment 1910 and downlink frequencychannels in a downlink spectral segment 1906 can be occupied withsignals modulated and otherwise formatted in accordance with a DOCSIS2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAX standard protocol, anultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 standard protocol, a 4G or 5G voiceand data protocol such as an LTE protocol and/or other standardcommunication protocol. In addition to protocols that conform withcurrent standards, any of these protocols can be modified to operate inconjunction with the system of FIG. 18A. For example, a 802.11 protocolor other protocol can be modified to include additional guidelinesand/or a separate data channel to provide collision detection/multipleaccess over a wider area (e.g. allowing network elements orcommunication devices communicatively coupled to the network elementsthat are communicating via a particular frequency channel of a downlinkspectral segment 1906 or uplink spectral segment 1910 to hear oneanother). In various embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels ofthe uplink spectral segment 1910 and downlink frequency channel of thedownlink spectral segment 1906 can all be formatted in accordance withthe same communications protocol. In the alternative however, two ormore differing protocols can be employed on both the uplink spectralsegment 1910 and the downlink spectral segment 1906 to, for example, becompatible with a wider range of client devices and/or operate indifferent frequency bands.

When two or more differing protocols are employed, a first subset of thedownlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1906 can bemodulated in accordance with a first standard protocol and a secondsubset of the downlink frequency channels of the downlink spectralsegment 1906 can be modulated in accordance with a second standardprotocol that differs from the first standard protocol. Likewise a firstsubset of the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment1910 can be received by the system for demodulation in accordance withthe first standard protocol and a second subset of the uplink frequencychannels of the uplink spectral segment 1910 can be received inaccordance with a second standard protocol for demodulation inaccordance with the second standard protocol that differs from the firststandard protocol.

In accordance with these examples, the base station interface 1922 canbe configured to receive modulated signals such as one or more downlinkchannels in their original/native frequency bands from a base stationsuch as macro base station 1802 or other communications network element.Similarly, the base station interface 1922 can be configured to supplyto a base station modulated signals received from another networkelement that is frequency converted to modulated signals having one ormore uplink channels in their original/native frequency bands. The basestation interface 1922 can be implemented via a wired or wirelessinterface that bidirectionally communicates communication signals suchas uplink and downlink channels in their original/native frequencybands, communication control signals and other network signaling with amacro base station or other network element. The duplexer/diplexerassembly 1924 is configured to transfer the downlink channels in theiroriginal/native frequency bands to the transceiver 1932 which frequencyconverts the frequency of the downlink channels from theiroriginal/native frequency bands into the frequency spectrum of interface1810—in this case a wireless communication link used to transport thecommunication signals downstream to one or more other communicationnodes 1804B-E of the distributed antenna system in range of thecommunication device 1804A.

In various embodiments, the transceiver 1932 includes an analog radiothat frequency converts the downlink channel signals in theiroriginal/native frequency bands via mixing or other heterodyne action togenerate frequency converted downlink channels signals that occupydownlink frequency channels of the downlink spectral segment 1906. Inthis illustration, the downlink spectral segment 1906 is within thedownlink frequency band of the interface 1810. In an embodiment, thedownlink channel signals are up-converted from their original/nativefrequency bands to a 28 GHz, 38 GHz, 60 GHz, 70 GHz or 80 GHz band ofthe downlink spectral segment 1906 for line-of-sight wirelesscommunications to one or more other communication nodes 1804B-E. It isnoted, however, that other frequency bands can likewise be employed fora downlink spectral segment 1906 (e.g., 3 GHz to 5 GHz). For example,the transceiver 1932 can be configured for down-conversion of one ormore downlink channel signals in their original/native spectral bands ininstances where the frequency band of the interface 1810 falls below theoriginal/native spectral bands of the one or more downlink channelssignals.

The transceiver 1932 can be coupled to multiple individual antennas,such as antennas 1822 presented in conjunction with FIG. 18D, forcommunicating with the communication nodes 1804B, a phased antenna arrayor steerable beam or multi-beam antenna system for communicating withmultiple devices at different locations. The duplexer/diplexer assembly1924 can include a duplexer, triplexer, splitter, switch, router and/orother assembly that operates as a “channel duplexer” to providebi-directional communications over multiple communication paths via oneor more original/native spectral segments of the uplink and downlinkchannels.

In addition to forwarding frequency converted modulated signalsdownstream to other communication nodes 1804B-E at a carrier frequencythat differs from their original/native spectral bands, thecommunication node 1804A can also communicate all or a selected portionof the modulated signals unmodified from their original/native spectralbands to client devices in a wireless communication range of thecommunication node 1804A via the wireless interface 1811. Theduplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 transfers the modulated signals in theiroriginal/native spectral bands to the transceiver 1930. The transceiver1930 can include a channel selection filter for selecting one or moredownlink channels and a power amplifier coupled to one or more antennas,such as antennas 1824 presented in conjunction with FIG. 18D, fortransmission of the downlink channels via wireless interface 1811 tomobile or fixed wireless devices.

In addition to downlink communications destined for client devices,communication node 1804A can operate in a reciprocal fashion to handleuplink communications originating from client devices as well. Inoperation, the transceiver 1932 receives uplink channels in the uplinkspectral segment 1910 from communication nodes 1804B-E via the uplinkspectrum of interface 1810. The uplink frequency channels in the uplinkspectral segment 1910 include modulated signals that were frequencyconverted by communication nodes 1804B-E from their original/nativespectral bands to the uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectralsegment 1910. In situations where the interface 1810 operates in ahigher frequency band than the native/original spectral segments of themodulated signals supplied by the client devices, the transceiver 1932down-converts the up-converted modulated signals to their originalfrequency bands. In situations, however, where the interface 1810operates in a lower frequency band than the native/original spectralsegments of the modulated signals supplied by the client devices, thetransceiver 1932 up-converts the down-converted modulated signals totheir original frequency bands. Further, the transceiver 1930 operatesto receive all or selected ones of the modulated signals in theiroriginal/native frequency bands from client devices via the wirelessinterface 1811. The duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 transfers themodulated signals in their original/native frequency bands received viathe transceiver 1930 to the base station interface 1922 to be sent tothe macro base station 1802 or other network element of a communicationsnetwork. Similarly, modulated signals occupying uplink frequencychannels in an uplink spectral segment 1910 that are frequency convertedto their original/native frequency bands by the transceiver 1932 aresupplied to the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 for transfer to the basestation interface 1922 to be sent to the macro base station 1802 orother network element of a communications network.

Turning now to FIG. 19C, a block diagram 1935 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a communication node is shown. In particular,the communication node device such as communication node 1804B, 1804C,1804D or 1804E of a radio distributed antenna system includestransceiver 1933, duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924, an amplifier 1938 andtwo transceivers 1936A and 1936B.

In various embodiments, the transceiver 1936A receives, from acommunication node 1804A or an upstream communication node 1804B-E, afirst modulated signal at a first carrier frequency corresponding to theplacement of the channels of the first modulated signal in the convertedspectrum of the distributed antenna system (e.g., frequency channels ofone or more downlink spectral segments 1906). The first modulated signalincludes first communications data provided by a base station anddirected to a mobile communication device. The transceiver 1936A isfurther configured to receive, from a communication node 1804A one ormore control channels and one or more corresponding reference signals,such as pilot signals or other reference signals, and/or one or moreclock signals associated with the first modulated signal at the firstcarrier frequency. The first modulated signal can include one or moredownlink communication channels conforming to a signaling protocol suchas a LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communicationprotocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a WiMAX protocol, a 802.11 orother wireless local area network protocol and/or other communicationprotocol.

As previously discussed, the reference signal enables the networkelement to reduce a phase error (and/or other forms of signaldistortion) during processing of the first modulated signal from thefirst carrier frequency to the first spectral segment (i.e.,original/native spectrum). The control channel includes instructions todirect the communication node of the distributed antenna system toconvert the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequency to thefirst modulated signal in the first spectral segment, to controlfrequency selections and reuse patterns, handoff and/or other controlsignaling. The clock signals can synchronize timing of digital controlchannel processing by the downstream communication nodes 1804B-E torecover the instructions from the control channel and/or to provideother timing signals.

The amplifier 1938 can be a bidirectional amplifier that amplifies thefirst modulated signal at the first carrier frequency together with thereference signals, control channels and/or clock signals for couplingvia the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 to transceiver 1936B, which inthis illustration, serves as a repeater for retransmission of theamplified the first modulated signal at the first carrier frequencytogether with the reference signals, control channels and/or clocksignals to one or more others of the communication nodes 1804B-E thatare downstream from the communication node 1804B-E that is shown andthat operate in a similar fashion.

The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequencytogether with the reference signals, control channels and/or clocksignals are also coupled via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 to thetransceiver 1933. The transceiver 1933 performs digital signalprocessing on the control channel to recover the instructions, such asin the form of digital data, from the control channel. The clock signalis used to synchronize timing of the digital control channel processing.The transceiver 1933 then performs frequency conversion of the firstmodulated signal at the first carrier frequency to the first modulatedsignal in the first spectral segment in accordance with the instructionsand based on an analog (and/or digital) signal processing of the firstmodulated signal and utilizing the reference signal to reduce distortionduring the converting process. The transceiver 1933 wirelessly transmitsthe first modulated signal in the first spectral segment for directcommunication with one or more mobile communication devices in range ofthe communication node 1804B-E as free space wireless signals.

In various embodiments, the transceiver 1936B receives a secondmodulated signal at a second carrier frequency in an uplink spectralsegment 1910 from other network elements such as one or more othercommunication nodes 1804B-E that are downstream from the communicationnode 1804B-E that is shown. The second modulated signal can include oneor more uplink communication channels conforming to a signaling protocolsuch as a LTE or other 4G wireless protocol, a 5G wireless communicationprotocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 or other wireless localarea network protocol and/or other communication protocol. Inparticular, one or more mobile communication devices generate the secondmodulated signal in a second spectral segment such as an original/nativefrequency band and the downstream network element performs frequencyconversion on the second modulated signal in the second spectral segmentto the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency andtransmits the second modulated signal at the second carrier frequency inan uplink spectral segment 1910 as received by the communication node1804B-E shown. The transceiver 1936B operates to send the secondmodulated signal at the second carrier frequency to amplifier 1938, viathe duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924, for amplification andretransmission via the transceiver 1936A back to the communication node1804A or upstream communication nodes 1804B-E for further retransmissionback to a base station, such as macro base station 1802, for processing.

The transceiver 1933 may also receive a second modulated signal in thesecond spectral segment from one or more mobile communication devices inrange of the communication node 1804B-E. The transceiver 1933 operatesto perform frequency conversion on the second modulated signal in thesecond spectral segment to the second modulated signal at the secondcarrier frequency, for example, under control of the instructionsreceived via the control channel, inserts the reference signals, controlchannels and/or clock signals for use by communication node 1804A inreconverting the second modulated signal back to the original/nativespectral segments and sends the second modulated signal at the secondcarrier frequency, via the duplexer/diplexer assembly 1924 and amplifier1938, to the transceiver 1936A for amplification and retransmission backto the communication node 1804A or upstream communication nodes 1804B-Efor further retransmission back to a base station, such as macro basestation 1802, for processing.

Turning now to FIG. 19D, a graphical diagram 1940 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. Inparticular, a spectrum 1942 is shown for a distributed antenna systemthat conveys modulated signals that occupy frequency channels of adownlink segment 1906 or uplink spectral segment 1910 after they havebeen converted in frequency (e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion)from one or more original/native spectral segments into the spectrum1942.

In the example presented, the downstream (downlink) channel band 1944includes a plurality of downstream frequency channels represented byseparate downlink spectral segments 1906. Likewise the upstream (uplink)channel band 1946 includes a plurality of upstream frequency channelsrepresented by separate uplink spectral segments 1910. The spectralshapes of the separate spectral segments are meant to be placeholdersfor the frequency allocation of each modulated signal along withassociated reference signals, control channels and clock signals. Theactual spectral response of each frequency channel in a downlinkspectral segment 1906 or uplink spectral segment 1910 will vary based onthe protocol and modulation employed and further as a function of time.

The number of the uplink spectral segments 1910 can be less than orgreater than the number of the downlink spectral segments 1906 inaccordance with an asymmetrical communication system. In this case, theupstream channel band 1946 can be narrower or wider than the downstreamchannel band 1944. In the alternative, the number of the uplink spectralsegments 1910 can be equal to the number of the downlink spectralsegments 1906 in the case where a symmetrical communication system isimplemented. In this case, the width of the upstream channel band 1946can be equal to the width of the downstream channel band 1944 and bitstuffing or other data filling techniques can be employed to compensatefor variations in upstream traffic. While the downstream channel band1944 is shown at a lower frequency than the upstream channel band 1946,in other embodiments, the downstream channel band 1844 can be at ahigher frequency than the upstream channel band 1946. In addition, thenumber of spectral segments and their respective frequency positions inspectrum 1942 can change dynamically over time. For example, a generalcontrol channel can be provided in the spectrum 1942 (not shown) whichcan indicate to communication nodes 1804 the frequency position of eachdownlink spectral segment 1906 and each uplink spectral segment 1910.Depending on traffic conditions, or network requirements necessitating areallocation of bandwidth, the number of downlink spectral segments 1906and uplink spectral segments 1910 can be changed by way of the generalcontrol channel. Additionally, the downlink spectral segments 1906 anduplink spectral segments 1910 do not have to be grouped separately. Forinstance, a general control channel can identify a downlink spectralsegment 1906 being followed by an uplink spectral segment 1910 in analternating fashion, or in any other combination which may or may not besymmetric. It is further noted that instead of utilizing a generalcontrol channel, multiple control channels can be used, each identifyingthe frequency position of one or more spectral segments and the type ofspectral segment (i.e., uplink or downlink).

Further, while the downstream channel band 1944 and upstream channelband 1946 are shown as occupying a single contiguous frequency band, inother embodiments, two or more upstream and/or two or more downstreamchannel bands can be employed, depending on available spectrum and/orthe communication standards employed. Frequency channels of the uplinkspectral segments 1910 and downlink spectral segments 1906 can beoccupied by frequency converted signals modulated formatted inaccordance with a DOCSIS 2.0 or higher standard protocol, a WiMAXstandard protocol, an ultra-wideband protocol, a 802.11 standardprotocol, a 4G or 5G voice and data protocol such as an LTE protocoland/or other standard communication protocol. In addition to protocolsthat conform with current standards, any of these protocols can bemodified to operate in conjunction with the system shown. For example, a802.11 protocol or other protocol can be modified to include additionalguidelines and/or a separate data channel to provide collisiondetection/multiple access over a wider area (e.g. allowing devices thatare communicating via a particular frequency channel to hear oneanother). In various embodiments all of the uplink frequency channels ofthe uplink spectral segments 1910 and downlink frequency channel of thedownlink spectral segments 1906 are all formatted in accordance with thesame communications protocol. In the alternative however, two or morediffering protocols can be employed on both the uplink frequencychannels of one or more uplink spectral segments 1910 and downlinkfrequency channels of one or more downlink spectral segments 1906 to,for example, be compatible with a wider range of client devices and/oroperate in different frequency bands.

It should be noted that, the modulated signals can be gathered fromdiffering original/native spectral segments for aggregation into thespectrum 1942. In this fashion, a first portion of uplink frequencychannels of an uplink spectral segment 1910 may be adjacent to a secondportion of uplink frequency channels of the uplink spectral segment 1910that have been frequency converted from one or more differingoriginal/native spectral segments. Similarly, a first portion ofdownlink frequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1906 may beadjacent to a second portion of downlink frequency channels of thedownlink spectral segment 1906 that have been frequency converted fromone or more differing original/native spectral segments. For example,one or more 2.4 GHz 802.11 channels that have been frequency convertedmay be adjacent to one or more 5.8 GHz 802.11 channels that have alsobeen frequency converted to a spectrum 1942 that is centered at 80 GHz.It should be noted that each spectral segment can have an associatedreference signal such as a pilot signal that can be used in generating alocal oscillator signal at a frequency and phase that provides thefrequency conversion of one or more frequency channels of that spectralsegment from its placement in the spectrum 1942 back into itoriginal/native spectral segment.

Turning now to FIG. 19E, a graphical diagram 1950 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. Inparticular a spectral segment selection is presented as discussed inconjunction with signal processing performed on the selected spectralsegment by transceivers 1930 of communication node 1840A or transceiver1932 of communication node 1804B-E. As shown, a particular uplinkfrequency portion 1958 including one of the uplink spectral segments1910 of uplink frequency channel band 1946 and a particular downlinkfrequency portion 1956 including one of the downlink spectral segments1906 of downlink channel frequency band 1944 is selected to be passed bychannel selection filtration, with the remaining portions of uplinkfrequency channel band 1946 and downlink channel frequency band 1944being filtered out—i.e. attenuated so as to mitigate adverse effects ofthe processing of the desired frequency channels that are passed by thetransceiver. It should be noted that while a single particular uplinkspectral segment 1910 and a particular downlink spectral segment 1906are shown as being selected, two or more uplink and/or downlink spectralsegments may be passed in other embodiments.

While the transceivers 1930 and 1932 can operate based on static channelfilters with the uplink and downlink frequency portions 1958 and 1956being fixed, as previously discussed, instructions sent to thetransceivers 1930 and 1932 via the control channel can be used todynamically configure the transceivers 1930 and 1932 to a particularfrequency selection. In this fashion, upstream and downstream frequencychannels of corresponding spectral segments can be dynamically allocatedto various communication nodes by the macro base station 1802 or othernetwork element of a communication network to optimize performance bythe distributed antenna system.

Turning now to FIG. 19F, a graphical diagram 1960 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. Inparticular, a spectrum 1962 is shown for a distributed antenna systemthat conveys modulated signals occupying frequency channels of uplink ordownlink spectral segments after they have been converted in frequency(e.g. via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or moreoriginal/native spectral segments into the spectrum 1962.

As previously discussed two or more different communication protocolscan be employed to communicate upstream and downstream data. When two ormore differing protocols are employed, a first subset of the downlinkfrequency channels of a downlink spectral segment 1906 can be occupiedby frequency converted modulated signals in accordance with a firststandard protocol and a second subset of the downlink frequency channelsof the same or a different downlink spectral segment 1910 can beoccupied by frequency converted modulated signals in accordance with asecond standard protocol that differs from the first standard protocol.Likewise a first subset of the uplink frequency channels of an uplinkspectral segment 1910 can be received by the system for demodulation inaccordance with the first standard protocol and a second subset of theuplink frequency channels of the same or a different uplink spectralsegment 1910 can be received in accordance with a second standardprotocol for demodulation in accordance with the second standardprotocol that differs from the first standard protocol.

In the example shown, the downstream channel band 1944 includes a firstplurality of downstream spectral segments represented by separatespectral shapes of a first type representing the use of a firstcommunication protocol. The downstream channel band 1944′ includes asecond plurality of downstream spectral segments represented by separatespectral shapes of a second type representing the use of a secondcommunication protocol. Likewise the upstream channel band 1946 includesa first plurality of upstream spectral segments represented by separatespectral shapes of the first type representing the use of the firstcommunication protocol. The upstream channel band 1946′ includes asecond plurality of upstream spectral segments represented by separatespectral shapes of the second type representing the use of the secondcommunication protocol. These separate spectral shapes are meant to beplaceholders for the frequency allocation of each individual spectralsegment along with associated reference signals, control channels and/orclock signals. While the individual channel bandwidth is shown as beingroughly the same for channels of the first and second type, it should benoted that upstream and downstream channel bands 1944, 1944′, 1946 and1946′ may be of differing bandwidths. Additionally, the spectralsegments in these channel bands of the first and second type may be ofdiffering bandwidths, depending on available spectrum and/or thecommunication standards employed.

Turning now to FIG. 19G, a graphical diagram 1970 illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a frequency spectrum is shown. Inparticular a portion of the spectrum 1942 or 1962 of FIGS. 19D-19F isshown for a distributed antenna system that conveys modulated signals inthe form of channel signals that have been converted in frequency (e.g.via up-conversion or down-conversion) from one or more original/nativespectral segments.

The portion 1972 includes a portion of a downlink or uplink spectralsegment 1906 and 1910 that is represented by a spectral shape and thatrepresents a portion of the bandwidth set aside for a control channel,reference signal, and/or clock signal. The spectral shape 1974, forexample, represents a control channel that is separate from referencesignal 1979 and a clock signal 1978. It should be noted that the clocksignal 1978 is shown with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidalsignal that may require conditioning into the form of a more traditionalclock signal. In other embodiments however, a traditional clock signalcould be sent as a modulated carrier wave such by modulating thereference signal 1979 via amplitude modulation or other modulationtechnique that preserves the phase of the carrier for use as a phasereference. In other embodiments, the clock signal could be transmittedby modulating another carrier wave or as another signal. Further, it isnoted that both the clock signal 1978 and the reference signal 1979 areshown as being outside the frequency band of the control channel 1974.

In another example, the portion 1975 includes a portion of a downlink oruplink spectral segment 1906 and 1910 that is represented by a portionof a spectral shape that represents a portion of the bandwidth set asidefor a control channel, reference signal, and/or clock signal. Thespectral shape 1976 represents a control channel having instructionsthat include digital data that modulates the reference signal, viaamplitude modulation, amplitude shift keying or other modulationtechnique that preserves the phase of the carrier for use as a phasereference. The clock signal 1978 is shown as being outside the frequencyband of the spectral shape 1976. The reference signal, being modulatedby the control channel instructions, is in effect a subcarrier of thecontrol channel and is in-band to the control channel. Again, the clocksignal 1978 is shown with a spectral shape representing a sinusoidalsignal, in other embodiments however, a traditional clock signal couldbe sent as a modulated carrier wave or other signal. In this case, theinstructions of the control channel can be used to modulate the clocksignal 1978 instead of the reference signal.

Consider the following example, where the control channel 1976 iscarried via modulation of a reference signal in the form of a continuouswave (CW) from which the phase distortion in the receiver is correctedduring frequency conversion of the downlink or uplink spectral segment1906 and 1910 back to its original/native spectral segment. The controlchannel 1976 can be modulated with a robust modulation such as pulseamplitude modulation, binary phase shift keying, amplitude shift keyingor other modulation scheme to carry instructions between networkelements of the distributed antenna system such as network operations,administration and management traffic and other control data. In variousembodiments, the control data can include without limitation:

-   -   Status information that indicates online status, offline status,        and network performance parameters of each network element.    -   Network device information such as module names and addresses,        hardware and software versions, device capabilities, etc.    -   Spectral information such as frequency conversion factors,        channel spacing, guard bands, uplink/downlink allocations,        uplink and downlink channel selections, etc.    -   Environmental measurements such as weather conditions, image        data, power outage information, line of sight blockages, etc.

In a further example, the control channel data can be sent viaultra-wideband (UWB) signaling. The control channel data can betransmitted by generating radio energy at specific time intervals andoccupying a larger bandwidth, via pulse-position or time modulation, byencoding the polarity or amplitude of the UWB pulses and/or by usingorthogonal pulses. In particular, UWB pulses can be sent sporadically atrelatively low pulse rates to support time or position modulation, butcan also be sent at rates up to the inverse of the UWB pulse bandwidth.In this fashion, the control channel can be spread over an UWB spectrumwith relatively low power, and without interfering with CW transmissionsof the reference signal and/or clock signal that may occupy in-bandportions of the UWB spectrum of the control channel.

Turning now to FIG. 19H, a block diagram 1980 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a transmitter is shown. In particular, atransmitter 1982 is shown for use with, for example, a receiver 1981 anda digital control channel processor 1995 in a transceiver, such astransceiver 1933 presented in conjunction with FIG. 19C. As shown, thetransmitter 1982 includes an analog front-end 1986, clock signalgenerator 1989, a local oscillator 1992, a mixer 1996, and a transmitterfront end 1984.

The amplified first modulated signal at the first carrier frequencytogether with the reference signals, control channels and/or clocksignals are coupled from the amplifier 1938 to the analog front-end1986. The analog front end 1986 includes one or more filters or otherfrequency selection to separate the control channel signal 1987, a clockreference signal 1978, a pilot signal 1991 and one or more selectedchannels signals 1994.

The digital control channel processor 1995 performs digital signalprocessing on the control channel to recover the instructions, such asvia demodulation of digital control channel data, from the controlchannel signal 1987. The clock signal generator 1989 generates the clocksignal 1990, from the clock reference signal 1978, to synchronize timingof the digital control channel processing by the digital control channelprocessor 1995. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 1978 isa sinusoid, the clock signal generator 1989 can provide amplificationand limiting to create a traditional clock signal or other timing signalfrom the sinusoid. In embodiments where the clock reference signal 1978is a modulated carrier signal, such as a modulation of the reference orpilot signal or other carrier wave, the clock signal generator 1989 canprovide demodulation to create a traditional clock signal or othertiming signal.

In various embodiments, the control channel signal 1987 can be either adigitally modulated signal in a range of frequencies separate from thepilot signal 1991 and the clock reference 1988 or as modulation of thepilot signal 1991. In operation, the digital control channel processor1995 provides demodulation of the control channel signal 1987 to extractthe instructions contained therein in order to generate a control signal1993. In particular, the control signal 1993 generated by the digitalcontrol channel processor 1995 in response to instructions received viathe control channel can be used to select the particular channel signals1994 along with the corresponding pilot signal 1991 and/or clockreference 1988 to be used for converting the frequencies of channelsignals 1994 for transmission via wireless interface 1811. It should benoted that in circumstances where the control channel signal 1987conveys the instructions via modulation of the pilot signal 1991, thepilot signal 1991 can be extracted via the digital control channelprocessor 1995 rather than the analog front-end 1986 as shown.

The digital control channel processor 1995 may be implemented via aprocessing module such as a microprocessor, micro-controller, digitalsignal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, fieldprogrammable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logiccircuitry, digital circuitry, an analog to digital converter, a digitalto analog converter and/or any device that manipulates signals (analogand/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operationalinstructions. The processing module may be, or further include, memoryand/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memorydevice, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry ofanother processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processingunit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that if the processing module includes morethan one processing device, the processing devices may be centrallylocated (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that the memory and/or memory element storing thecorresponding operational instructions may be embedded within, orexternal to, the microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signalprocessor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmablegate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry,digital circuitry, an analog to digital converter, a digital to analogconverter or other device. Still further note that, the memory elementmay store, and the processing module executes, hard coded and/oroperational instructions corresponding to at least some of the stepsand/or functions described herein and such a memory device or memoryelement can be implemented as an article of manufacture.

The local oscillator 1992 generates the local oscillator signal 1997utilizing the pilot signal 1991 to reduce distortion during thefrequency conversion process. In various embodiments the pilot signal1991 is at the correct frequency and phase of the local oscillatorsignal 1997 to generate the local oscillator signal 1997 at the properfrequency and phase to convert the channel signals 1994 at the carrierfrequency associated with their placement in the spectrum of thedistributed antenna system to their original/native spectral segmentsfor transmission to fixed or mobile communication devices. In this case,the local oscillator 1992 can employ bandpass filtration and/or othersignal conditioning to generate a sinusoidal local oscillator signal1997 that preserves the frequency and phase of the pilot signal 1991. Inother embodiments, the pilot signal 1991 has a frequency and phase thatcan be used to derive the local oscillator signal 1997. In this case,the local oscillator 1992 employs frequency division, frequencymultiplication or other frequency synthesis, based on the pilot signal1991, to generate the local oscillator signal 1997 at the properfrequency and phase to convert the channel signals 1994 at the carrierfrequency associated with their placement in the spectrum of thedistributed antenna system to their original/native spectral segmentsfor transmission to fixed or mobile communication devices.

The mixer 1996 operates based on the local oscillator signal 1997 toshift the channel signals 1994 in frequency to generate frequencyconverted channel signals 1998 at their corresponding original/nativespectral segments. While a single mixing stage is shown, multiple mixingstages can be employed to shift the channel signals to baseband and/orone or more intermediate frequencies as part of the total frequencyconversion. The transmitter (Xmtr) front-end 1984 includes a poweramplifier and impedance matching to wirelessly transmit the frequencyconverted channel signals 1998 as a free space wireless signals via oneor more antennas, such as antennas 1824, to one or more mobile or fixedcommunication devices in range of the communication node 1804B-E.

Turning now to FIG. 19I, a block diagram 1985 illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a receiver is shown. In particular, areceiver 1981 is shown for use with, for example, transmitter 1982 anddigital control channel processor 1995 in a transceiver, such astransceiver 1933 presented in conjunction with FIG. 19C. As shown, thereceiver 1981 includes an analog receiver (RCVR) front-end 1983, localoscillator 1992, and mixer 1996. The digital control channel processor1995 operates under control of instructions from the control channel togenerate the pilot signal 1991, control channel signal 1987 and clockreference signal 1978.

The control signal 1993 generated by the digital control channelprocessor 1995 in response to instructions received via the controlchannel can also be used to select the particular channel signals 1994along with the corresponding pilot signal 1991 and/or clock reference1988 to be used for converting the frequencies of channel signals 1994for reception via wireless interface 1811. The analog receiver front end1983 includes a low noise amplifier and one or more filters or otherfrequency selection to receive one or more selected channels signals1994 under control of the control signal 1993.

The local oscillator 1992 generates the local oscillator signal 1997utilizing the pilot signal 1991 to reduce distortion during thefrequency conversion process. In various embodiments the localoscillator employs bandpass filtration and/or other signal conditioning,frequency division, frequency multiplication or other frequencysynthesis, based on the pilot signal 1991, to generate the localoscillator signal 1997 at the proper frequency and phase to frequencyconvert the channel signals 1994, the pilot signal 1991, control channelsignal 1987 and clock reference signal 1978 to the spectrum of thedistributed antenna system for transmission to other communication nodes1804A-E. In particular, the mixer 1996 operates based on the localoscillator signal 1997 to shift the channel signals 1994 in frequency togenerate frequency converted channel signals 1998 at the desiredplacement within spectrum spectral segment of the distributed antennasystem for coupling to the amplifier 1938, to transceiver 1936A foramplification and retransmission via the transceiver 1936A back to thecommunication node 1804A or upstream communication nodes 1804B-E forfurther retransmission back to a base station, such as macro basestation 1802, for processing. Again, while a single mixing stage isshown, multiple mixing stages can be employed to shift the channelsignals to baseband and/or one or more intermediate frequencies as partof the total frequency conversion.

Turning now to FIG. 20A, a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a dielectric antenna in accordancewith various aspects described herein. In particular, a dielectric hornantenna 2001 is shown having a conical structure. The dielectric hornantenna 2001 is coupled to a feed point 2002, which can also becomprised of a dielectric material. The dielectric horn antenna 2001 andthe feed point 2002 (as well as other embodiments of the dielectricantenna described below in the subject disclosure) can be constructed asa geometric solid of dielectric materials such as a polyethylenematerial, a polyurethane material, Teflon or other suitable dielectricmaterial (e.g., a synthetic resin, other plastics, etc.). In variousembodiments, the dielectric material can be opaque, i.e., resistant topropagation of electromagnetic waves having an optical frequency range.The dielectric horn antenna 2001 and the feed point 2002 (as well asother embodiments of the dielectric antenna described below in thesubject disclosure) can be adapted to be substantially or entirelydevoid of any conductive materials.

For example, the external surfaces 2007 of the dielectric horn antenna2001 and the feed point 2002 can be non-conductive or substantiallynon-conductive with at least 95% of the external surface area beingnon-conductive and the dielectric materials used to construct thedielectric horn antenna 2001 and the feed point 2002 can be such thatthey substantially do not contain impurities that may be conductive(e.g., such as less than 1 part per thousand) or result in impartingconductive properties. In other embodiments, however, a limited numberof conductive components can be used such as a metallic connectorcomponent used at the feed point 2002, one or more screws, rivets orother coupling elements used to bind components to one another, and/orone or more structural elements that do not significantly alter theradiation pattern of the dielectric antenna. The feed point 2002 can beadapted to couple to a core 2052 such as a dielectric core of aconductorless cable described in conjunction with the co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 14/799,272 filed Jul. 14, 2015 by Henry et al.,entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Transmitting Wireless Signals”. Inone embodiment, the feed point 2002 can be coupled to the core 2052utilizing a joint (not shown in FIG. 20A) such as a splicing device orother coupling mechanism or via an adhesive. In an embodiment, the jointcan be configured to cause the feed point 2002 to touch an endpoint ofthe core 2052. In another embodiment, the joint can create a gap betweenan end of the feed point 2002 and an end of the core 2052. In yetanother embodiment, the joint can cause the feed point 2002 and the core2052 to be coaxially aligned or partially misaligned. Notwithstandingany combination of the foregoing embodiments, electromagnetic waves canin whole or at least in part propagate between the junction of the feedpoint 2002 and the core 2052.

The cable 2050 can be coupled to a communication system, such as awaveguide system, any of the communication nodes 1804A-E previouslydescribed, or other transceiver. For illustration purposes only, thecommunication node 1804A can include a launcher, such as any of thecable launchers described in the co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.14/799,272 filed Jul. 14, 2015 by Henry et al., entitled “Apparatus andMethods for Transmitting Wireless Signals”. In various embodiments, thelauncher can be configured to select a wave mode (e.g., non-fundamentalwave mode, fundamental wave mode, a hybrid wave mode, or combinationsthereof as described earlier) and transmit instances of electromagneticwaves having a millimeter wave or other microwave operating frequency(e.g., 60 GHz). The electromagnetic waves can be directed to aninterface of the cable 2050.

The instances of electromagnetic waves generated by the communicationnode 1804A can induce a combined electromagnetic wave such as a hybridmode or combination of modes having the selected wave mode thatpropagates from the core 2052 to the feed point 2002. The combinedelectromagnetic wave can propagate partly inside the core 2052 andpartly on an outer surface of the core 2052. Once the combinedelectromagnetic wave has propagated through the junction between thecore 2052 and the feed point 2002, the combined electromagnetic wave cancontinue to propagate partly inside the feed point 2002 and partly on anouter surface of the feed point 2002. In some embodiments, the portionof the combined electromagnetic wave that propagates on the outersurface of the core 2052 and the feed point 2002 is small. In theseembodiments, the combined electromagnetic wave can be said to be guidedby and tightly coupled to the core 2052 and the feed point 2002 whilepropagating longitudinally towards the dielectric antenna 2001.

When the combined electromagnetic wave reaches a proximal portion of thedielectric antenna 2001 (at a junction 2002′ between the feed point 2002and the dielectric antenna 2001), the combined electromagnetic waveenters the proximal portion of the dielectric antenna 2001 andpropagates longitudinally along an axis of the dielectric antenna 2001(shown as a dashed line). By the time the combined electromagnetic wavereaches the operating face 2003, the combined electromagnetic wave hasan intensity pattern where the electric fields of the combinedelectromagnetic wave are strongest near a center region of the operatingface 2003 and weaker in the outer regions. In an embodiment, where thewave mode of the electromagnetic waves propagating in the dielectricantenna 2001 is a hybrid wave mode (e.g., HE11), the leakage of theelectromagnetic waves at the external surfaces 2007 is reduced or insome instances eliminated. In particular, while the dielectric antenna2002 is constructed of solid dielectric and may have no physicalaperture, the operating face 2003 functions as an aperture of atraditional horn antenna to radiate and receive free space wirelesssignals such as microwave signals or other RF signaling.

In an embodiment, the far-field antenna gain pattern of the dielectricantenna 2001 can be widened by decreasing the operating frequency of thecombined electromagnetic wave from a nominal frequency. Similarly, thegain pattern can be narrowed by increasing the operating frequency ofthe combined electromagnetic wave from the nominal frequency.Accordingly, a width of a beam of wireless signals emitted by theoperating face 2003 can be controlled by configuring the communicationnode, waveguide system or other transceiver to increase or decrease theoperating frequency of the combined electromagnetic wave.

The dielectric antenna 2001 of FIG. 20A can also be used for receivingwireless signals, such as free space wireless signals transmitted byeither a similar antenna or conventional antenna design. Wirelesssignals received by the dielectric antenna 2001 at the operating face2003 induce electromagnetic waves in the dielectric antenna 2001 thatpropagate towards the feed point 2002. The electromagnetic wavescontinue to propagate from the feed point 2002 to the core 2052, and arethereby delivered to the waveguide system, communication node or othertransceiver coupled to the cable 2050. In this configuration, thewaveguide system, communication node or transceiver can include both atransmitter and receiver to perform bidirectional communicationsutilizing the dielectric antenna 2001. It is further noted that in someembodiments the core 2052 of the cable 2050 (shown with dashed lines)can be configured to be collinear with the feed point 2002 to avoid abend shown in FIG. 20A. In some embodiments, a collinear configurationcan reduce an alteration or distortion in the propagation of theelectromagnetic due to the bend in cable 2050.

Turning now to FIG. 20B, block diagrams illustrating example,non-limiting embodiments of dielectric antennas 2001 and 2001′, eachhaving a non-uniform spatial distribution of relative permittivity. Inparticular, the non-uniform spatial distribution of relativepermittivity can include at least one spatial region of the dielectricantenna 2001 or 2001′ having a higher relative permittivity than atleast one other spatial region of the dielectric antenna. In variousembodiments, the dielectric antenna can be constructed of one or moredielectric materials such as a polyethylene material, a polyurethanematerial, Teflon or other suitable dielectric material (e.g., asynthetic resin, other plastics, etc.). In various embodiments, thedielectric materials can be opaque, i.e., resistant to propagation ofelectromagnetic waves having an optical frequency range.

In one example shown, the dielectric antenna 2001 is non-uniformly dopedwith a dopant of high permittivity material such as rutile or other highpermittivity substance such that some regions of the dielectric antenna2001 have a higher relative dopant density than others. In theembodiment of dielectric antenna 2001 that is shown, the shading of thedielectric antenna varies along a vertical axis 2007 from a lightshading at near the top of the antenna and a darker shading at thebottom of the antenna to indicate this non-uniform doping. For example,a high density polyethylene material, a high density polyurethanematerial, or other suitable dielectric materials can be doped with arutile suspension or other dielectric materials with a high permittivityto increase the dielectric constant as the density of the dopingincreases. Displacements along the vertical axis 2007 from alongitudinal axis 2005 of the dielectric antenna 2001 can be representedby −ΔV_(max)≤ΔV≤ΔV_(max), where the displacements −ΔV_(max) and ΔV_(max)represent the outer boundaries of the dielectric antenna along thevertical axis 2007.

Function 2076 of FIG. 20C represents the variation in relativepermittivity as a function of ΔV for a dielectric antenna such asdielectric antenna 2001. In the example shown, the relative permittivityvaries along a vertical axis of the dielectric antenna as a monotonicand continuous function from a value of ε_(r1) corresponding torelatively high doping density—to a value of ε_(r2) corresponding torelatively lower doping density. It should be noted that while aparticular monotonic and continuous function is presented, othermonotonic and continuous functions and other functions could likewise beemployed.

Returning to FIG. 20B, the convex portion 2012 of the dielectric antennacan be composed of a hydrophobic polymer such as a Teflon or otherhydrophobic dielectrics. Alternatively, the convex portion 2012 caninclude an operating face 2003 having a hydrophobic coating, such as aspray polyamide, Teflon or other polymers or other hydrophobic coatingsto reduce accumulation of water or other liquids on the operating face2003. In addition to providing weather protection for the dielectricantenna, the convex portion can function as a dielectric lens to controlthe beam pattern of the dielectric antenna 2001 and 2001′.

In various embodiments, the non-uniform spatial distribution of relativepermittivity also serves to modify the shape of the beam pattern. Whilethe dielectric antenna 2001 is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis2005, the dielectric antenna 2001 generates a far-field beam pattern2009 in a vertical plane of the dielectric antenna 2001 that isasymmetrical about the longitudinal axis. In the example shown, thefar-field beam pattern 2009 has a major lobe, characterized by a gain G₁in the maximal direction, that is angularly displaced by an angle θdownward from the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the major lobe has again G₂ at an upward angular displacement φ from a maximal direction ofthe major lobe and a gain G₃ at a downward angular displacement φ fromthe maximal direction of the major lobe in the opposite direction alonga vertical plane of the antenna. In the example shown, the beam patternis angled slightly downward, and G₁>G₃>G₂. This configuration is usefulfor mounting of the antenna on a pole tower or other structures aboveground where less gain is required to reach devices at ground level inclose proximity to the antenna when compared with other devices atground level at greater distances. Furthermore, upward radiation andreception by the antenna is not needed.

It should be noted that the far-field beam pattern 2009 is shown insimplified form, merely as an example of the many possible far-fieldbeam patterns that can be implemented via a non-uniform spatialdistribution of relative permittivity in the dielectric antenna.

In the further example of dielectric antenna 2001′, the non-uniformspatial distribution of relative permittivity is produced byconstructing the dielectric antenna 2001′ with four dielectric sectionseach being a lateral slice of the solid horn structure and each composedof a different dielectric material and/or section with differingrelative permittivity. While a configuration with four differentvertical sections is shown, configurations with greater or fewersections can likewise be employed. In the embodiment of dielectricantenna 2001′ that is shown, the shading of the dielectric antennavaries along a vertical axis 2007 from lighter shading for the topsections of the antenna and a darker shading at the bottom of theantenna to indicate the differing relative permittivity of the foursections.

Function 2078 of FIG. 20C represents the variation in relativepermittivity as a function of ΔV for a dielectric antenna such asdielectric antenna 2001′. In the example shown, the relativepermittivity varies along a vertical axis of the dielectric antenna as amonotonic and discrete function from a value of ε_(r3) corresponding torelatively high permittivity to a value of ε_(r6) corresponding torelatively lower permittivity. It should be noted that while aparticular monotonic and discrete function is presented, other monotonicand discrete functions and other functions could likewise be employed.

Returning to FIG. 20B, the non-uniform spatial distribution of relativepermittivity again serves to modify the shape of the beam pattern. Whilethe dielectric antenna 2001′ is symmetrical about its longitudinal axis2005, the dielectric antenna 2001′ generates a far-field beam pattern2009 in a vertical plane of the dielectric antenna 2001′ that isasymmetrical about the longitudinal axis. It should be noted that thefar-field beam pattern 2009 is shown in simplified form and similar tothe beam produced by antenna 2001 for illustrative purposes, and merelyas an example of the many possible the far-field beam patterns that canbe implemented via a non-uniform spatial distribution of relativepermittivity in the dielectric antenna.

While a conical dielectric antenna configuration is shown with acircular cross section, other shapes including pyramidal shapes,elliptical shapes and other geometric shapes can likewise beimplemented. For example, the convex dielectric radome 2012 can have anelliptical shape that results in near-field wireless signals emitted bythe operating face of the dielectric antenna having a first beam patterncross section of first elliptical shape and the far-field wirelesssignals having a second beam pattern cross section second ellipticalshape that is rotationally offset from the first elliptical shape. Inaccordance with this example, the first elliptical shape of thenear-field wireless signals can have a first width-to-height ratio andthe second elliptical shape of the far-field wireless signals can have asecond width-to-height ratio. Furthermore, the first width-to-heightratio of the near-field wireless signals can be inversely proportionalto the second width-to-height ratio of the far-field wireless signals.

Referring now to FIG. 21, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 21 and the followingdiscussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of asuitable computing environment 2100 in which the various embodiments ofthe subject disclosure can be implemented. While the embodiments havebeen described above in the general context of computer-executableinstructions that can run on one or more computers, those skilled in theart will recognize that the embodiments can be also implemented incombination with other program modules and/or as a combination ofhardware and software.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes processor as well as otherapplication specific circuits such as an application specific integratedcircuit, digital logic circuit, state machine, programmable gate arrayor other circuit that processes input signals or data and that producesoutput signals or data in response thereto. It should be noted thatwhile any functions and features described herein in association withthe operation of a processor could likewise be performed by a processingcircuit.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 21, the example environment 2100 fortransmitting and receiving signals via or forming at least part of abase station (e.g., base station devices 1504, macrocell site 1502, orbase stations 1614) or central office (e.g., central office 1501 or1611). At least a portion of the example environment 2100 can also beused for transmission devices 101 or 102. The example environment cancomprise a computer 2102, the computer 2102 comprising a processing unit2104, a system memory 2106 and a system bus 2108. The system bus 2108couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 2106 to the processing unit 2104. The processing unit 2104 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 2104.

The system bus 2108 can be any of several types of bus structure thatcan further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 2106comprises ROM 2110 and RAM 2112. A basic input/output system (BIOS) canbe stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmableread only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within the computer2102, such as during startup. The RAM 2112 can also comprise ahigh-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 2102 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)2114 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 2114 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 2116, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 2118) and an optical disk drive 2120, (e.g., readinga CD-ROM disk 2122 or, to read from or write to other high capacityoptical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 2114, magnetic diskdrive 2116 and optical disk drive 2120 can be connected to the systembus 2108 by a hard disk drive interface 2124, a magnetic disk driveinterface 2126 and an optical drive interface 2128, respectively. Theinterface 2124 for external drive implementations comprises at least oneor both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other externaldrive connection technologies are within contemplation of theembodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 2102, the drives andstorage media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digitalformat. Although the description of computer-readable storage mediaabove refers to a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette,and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should beappreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of storagemedia which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magneticcassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also beused in the example operating environment, and further, that any suchstorage media can contain computer-executable instructions forperforming the methods described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 2112,comprising an operating system 2130, one or more application programs2132, other program modules 2134 and program data 2136. All or portionsof the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 2112. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems. Examples of application programs2132 that can be implemented and otherwise executed by processing unit2104 include the diversity selection determining performed bytransmission device 101 or 102.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 2102 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 2138 and apointing device, such as a mouse 2140. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 2104 through aninput device interface 2142 that can be coupled to the system bus 2108,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 2144 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 2108 via an interface, such as a video adapter 2146. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 2144can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 2102 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 2144, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 2102 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 2148. The remotecomputer(s) 2148 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer2102, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device2150 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 2152 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 2154. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 2102 can beconnected to the local network 2152 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 2156. The adapter 2156 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 2152, which canalso comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 2156.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 2102 cancomprise a modem 2158 or can be connected to a communications server onthe WAN 2154 or has other means for establishing communications over theWAN 2154, such as by way of the Internet. The modem 2158, which can beinternal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected tothe system bus 2108 via the input device interface 2142. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 2102 orportions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device2150. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of establishing a communications link betweenthe computers can be used.

The computer 2102 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

FIG. 22 presents an example embodiment 2200 of a mobile network platform2210 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. In one or more embodiments, the mobilenetwork platform 2210 can generate and receive signals transmitted andreceived by base stations (e.g., base station devices 1504, macrocellsite 1502, or base stations 1614), central office (e.g., central office1501 or 1611), or transmission device 101 or 102 associated with thedisclosed subject matter. Generally, wireless network platform 2210 cancomprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers, ordisparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 2210 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 2210comprises CS gateway node(s) 2222 which can interface CS trafficreceived from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 2240 (e.g.,public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network(PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 2270. Circuit switchedgateway node(s) 2222 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g.,voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 2222can access mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network2270; for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register(VLR), which can reside in memory 2230. Moreover, CS gateway node(s)2222 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s)2218. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 2222 canbe realized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 2222, PS gateway node(s) 2218, and serving node(s) 2216,is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 2210 for telecommunication.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 2218 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 2210, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 2250,enterprise network(s) 2270, and service network(s) 2280, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 2210 through PS gateway node(s) 2218. It is tobe noted that WANs 2250 and enterprise network(s) 2260 can embody, atleast in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s)2217, packet-switched gateway node(s) 2218 can generate packet dataprotocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 2218 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 2200, wireless network platform 2210 also comprisesserving node(s) 2216 that, based upon available radio technologylayer(s) within technology resource(s) 2217, convey the variouspacketized flows of data streams received through PS gateway node(s)2218. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) 2217 that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 2218; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 2216 can be embodied in servingGPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)2214 in wireless network platform 2210 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 2210. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 2218 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 2216 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 2214 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 2210 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 2222and PS gateway node(s) 2218 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 2250 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 2210 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage. Repeater devices such as those shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 alsoimprove network coverage in order to enhance subscriber serviceexperience by way of UE 2275.

It is to be noted that server(s) 2214 can comprise one or moreprocessors configured to confer at least in part the functionality ofmacro network platform 2210. To that end, the one or more processor canexecute code instructions stored in memory 2230, for example. It isshould be appreciated that server(s) 2214 can comprise a content manager2215, which operates in substantially the same manner as describedhereinbefore.

In example embodiment 2200, memory 2230 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 2210. Other operationalinformation can comprise provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 2210, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 2230 canalso store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 2240,WAN 2250, enterprise network(s) 2270, or SS7 network 2260. In an aspect,memory 2230 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data storecomponent or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 22, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

FIG. 23 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication device2300. The communication device 2300 can serve as an illustrativeembodiment of devices such as mobile devices and in-building devicesreferred to by the subject disclosure (e.g., in FIGS. 15, 16A and 16B).

The communication device 2300 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 2302 (herein transceiver 2302), a user interface (UI) 2304,a power supply 2314, a location receiver 2316, a motion sensor 2318, anorientation sensor 2320, and a controller 2306 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 2302 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 2302 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 2304 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 2308with a navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse,or a navigation disk for manipulating operations of the communicationdevice 2300. The keypad 2308 can be an integral part of a housingassembly of the communication device 2300 or an independent deviceoperably coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USBcable) or a wireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. Thekeypad 2308 can represent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones,and/or a QWERTY keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 2304 can furtherinclude a display 2310 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid CrystalDisplay), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable displaytechnology for conveying images to an end user of the communicationdevice 2300. In an embodiment where the display 2310 is touch-sensitive,a portion or all of the keypad 2308 can be presented by way of thedisplay 2310 with navigation features.

The display 2310 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 2300 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The touch screen display 2310 can beequipped with capacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technologyto detect how much surface area of a user's finger has been placed on aportion of the touch screen display. This sensing information can beused to control the manipulation of the GUI elements or other functionsof the user interface. The display 2310 can be an integral part of thehousing assembly of the communication device 2300 or an independentdevice communicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface(such as a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 2304 can also include an audio system 2312 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 2312 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 2312 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI2304 can further include an image sensor 2313 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 2314 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 2300 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 2316 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 2300 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor2318 can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 2300 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 2320 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device2300 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 2300 can use the transceiver 2302 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 2306 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 2300.

Other components not shown in FIG. 23 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 2300 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. For example, artificial intelligence can be used inoptional training controller 230 evaluate and select candidatefrequencies, modulation schemes, MIMO modes, and/or guided wave modes inorder to maximize transfer efficiency. The embodiments (e.g., inconnection with automatically identifying acquired cell sites thatprovide a maximum value/benefit after addition to an existingcommunication network) can employ various AI-based schemes for carryingout various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier can beemployed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site of theacquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence (class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches comprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesiannetworks, decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, andprobabilistic classification models providing different patterns ofindependence can be employed. Classification as used herein also isinclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop modelsof priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication device, comprising: a dielectricantenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution of relativepermittivity, wherein, when a longitudinal axis of the dielectricantenna is oriented in a horizontal orientation, the relativepermittivity varies along a vertical axis of the dielectric antenna as amonotonically decreasing function from the largest negative verticaldeviation from the longitudinal axis to a largest positive verticaldeviation from the longitudinal axis; a cable comprising a dielectriccore coupled to a feed point of the dielectric antenna; and atransmitter, coupled to the cable, the transmitter facilitating atransmission of electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic waves guidedby the dielectric core, without an electrical return path, to the feedpoint of the dielectric antenna.
 2. The communication device of claim 1,wherein the dielectric antenna is symmetrical about the longitudinalaxis of the dielectric antenna and generates a far-field beam patternthat is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis.
 3. The communicationdevice of claim 2, wherein the far-field beam pattern has a major lobeangularly displaced from the longitudinal axis.
 4. The communicationdevice of claim 3, wherein the major lobe has a first gain at a firstangular displacement from a maximal direction of the major lobe and asecond gain at a second angular displacement from the maximal directionof the major lobe and wherein the second angular displacement isopposite the first angular displacement along a vertical plane of thedielectric antenna, the first gain is different from the second gain. 5.The communication device of claim 1, wherein the non-uniform spatialdistribution of relative permittivity includes at least one region ofthe dielectric antenna having a higher relative permittivity than atleast one other region of the dielectric antenna.
 6. The communicationdevice of claim 5, wherein the dielectric antenna is non-uniformly dopedand wherein the at least one region of the dielectric antenna has ahigher relative dopant density than the at least one other region of thedielectric antenna.
 7. The communication device of claim 1, wherein thedielectric antenna comprises a plurality of dielectric sections eachcomposed of one of a plurality of dielectric materials.
 8. Thecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the relative permittivityvaries along the vertical axis of the dielectric antenna as a continuousfunction.
 9. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the relativepermittivity varies along the vertical axis of the dielectric antenna asa discrete function.
 10. An antenna structure, comprising: a feed pointthat facilitates coupling to a dielectric core that supplieselectromagnetic waves to the feed point; and a solid dielectric antennacoupled to the feed point for receiving the electromagnetic waves, thesolid dielectric antenna having a non-uniform spatial distribution ofrelative permittivity, wherein, when a longitudinal axis of thedielectric antenna is oriented in a horizontal orientation, the relativepermittivity varies along a vertical axis of the solid dielectricantenna as a monotonically decreasing function from the largest negativevertical deviation from the longitudinal axis to a largest positivevertical deviation from the longitudinal axis.
 11. The antenna structureof claim 10, wherein the solid dielectric antenna is symmetrical aboutthe longitudinal axis of the solid dielectric antenna and generates afar-field beam pattern that is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis.12. The antenna structure of claim 11, wherein the far-field beampattern has a major lobe angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis.13. The antenna structure of claim 12, wherein the major lobe has afirst gain at a first angular displacement from a maximal direction ofthe major lobe and a second gain at a second angular displacement fromthe maximal direction of the major lobe and wherein the second angulardisplacement is opposite the first angular displacement along a verticalplane of the solid dielectric antenna, the first gain is different fromthe second gain.
 14. The antenna structure of claim 10, wherein thenon-uniform spatial distribution of relative permittivity includes atleast one region of the solid dielectric antenna having a higherrelative permittivity than at least one other region of the soliddielectric antenna.
 15. The antenna structure of claim 14, wherein thesolid dielectric antenna is non-uniformly doped and wherein the at leastone region of the solid dielectric antenna has a higher relative dopantdensity than the at least one other region of the solid dielectricantenna.
 16. The antenna structure of claim 10, wherein the soliddielectric antenna comprises a plurality of dielectric sections eachcomposed of one of a plurality of dielectric materials.
 17. The antennastructure of claim 10, wherein the solid dielectric antenna has anoperating face that radiates or receives microwave signals.
 18. Anantenna, comprising: three or more dielectric sections each composed ofa different dielectric material, the three of more dielectric sectionseach comprising a corresponding lateral slice of a solid horn, wherein,when a longitudinal axis of the dielectric antenna is oriented in ahorizontal orientation, the relative permittivity varies along avertical axis of the dielectric antenna as a monotonically decreasingfunction from the largest negative vertical deviation from thelongitudinal axis to a largest positive vertical deviation from thelongitudinal axis.
 19. The antenna of claim 18, wherein the solid hornis symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the antenna and whereinthe antenna generates a far-field beam pattern that is asymmetricalabout the longitudinal axis.
 20. The antenna of claim 19, wherein thefar-field beam pattern has a major lobe angularly displaced from thelongitudinal axis.